To address the urgent needs of our community, the El Cerrito City Council unanimously placed a library funding measure on the November 8th 2016 ballot to provide a safe, modern El Cerrito Library. Built in 1948, the El Cerrito Library is 67 years old and does not meet current earthquake safety standards, or the educational and technological needs of today’s El Cerrito residents. When school gets out, the Library is packed with school children and simply too small for our community’s needs.
The ECDC Executive Board has voted to support this measure. We need to ensure that El Cerrito residents have an earthquake-safe, energy-efficient library that meets our community’s educational and informational needs for years to come. A 21st century safe, modern Library will provide:
- Public access computers, a computer learning center, and free Wi-Fi
- A children’s area with space for story times
- Improved access for seniors and disabled residents
- Library programs for children and teens, including homework help and reading resources that are critical to providing our students with the resources they need to stay on track.
The Library Measure includes tough fiscal accountability: All funding from the Library Measure is required to be locally-controlled, with independent citizen oversight, mandatory financial audits and yearly reports to the community to ensure all funds are spent as promised.