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Libraries for All of Oakland
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Dear Neighbor,
I believe good libraries and public schools are
the foundation of our democracy. Most of our
libraries were built after World War II, before
computers, the internet & DVD's. On Tuesday we have
an opportunity to make an investment in Oakland's
future. Measure N will:
- Upgrade every library in every
community
- Make basic health & safety repairs -
adding public restrooms to several branches,
heating & electrical repairs, disabled
handicapped access & security.
- Adding space and electrical hook-ups to
expand computer & internet access
- Build new libraries for communities
that don't have them, including East Oakland and
Laurel
- Expand space for homework and teen
centers, tutoring, literacy and senior
services
- Relocate the Main Library, the most
economical solution to preserving and expanding
the collections and support for branches.
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Everyone Has a Library Story...
This is my library story.
"After my father died when I was
five, newspapers and magazines
disappeared from our home. My
immigrant mother, illiterate in
both Chinese and English, could
barely provide the basics. I
still remember my first library
card and the joy of having as
many books as I could carry.
From my own life and School
Board years, I know that public
libraries literally open up the
world for many children."
Today about 40% of Oakland
students come from immigrant
families, over 60% come from low
income families ....good
libraries are needed more than
ever.
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Bridging the Digital Divide...
The library is the most reliable
internet access for an estimated 40% of
Oaklanders. Many libraries lack the
basic electrical infrastructure to add
computers.
"I didn't have a computer, so I
came to the Elmhurst Library to write my
resume. The librarian helped me look for job
listings. I can't afford to rent movies or
buy many books for my kids, but I don't have
to...we come here every week. We love this
library."
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Some Libraries Lack the Basics...
"I want a bathroom for my
library..."
Libraries are providing more
services than before. They offer
programs from legal assistance, to
tax help, to adult literacy
programs, and computer classes. Some
do not have public restrooms or
class and meeting spaces.
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Libraries Provide Critical After
School & Tutoring Programs
Most of our libraries are
crowded after school. Table
space and computer time is
limited.
Some libraries lack classroom
space for tutoring, art, reading,
and other after school programs.
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The Main Library is the Heart of Our
System...
"This pipe shows how old
the Main is...most of its books
are locked up in the stacks and
are not accessible. There are
long waits for the
computers...we need a new main
to support the branches, right
now we don't have room for
modern equipment ...we don't
even have a loading dock for
moving books out to the
branches."
The Kaiser solution saves a
historic building for public use, is
cheaper than fixing the old
building, and has parking. Trying to
renovate the current main is more
expensive and we would lose its use
during construction."
Sylvester Grigsby, Library Master
Plan Community Advisory Committee |
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Safe Havens for Youth...
"The Library is the only
safe place to
hang out after school."
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Please Support Our Libraries, Yes on
Measure N
- Forward this message
onto your friends
- Display a Measure N
Sign, call 260-4124
- Volunteer to call or
distribute leaflets,
499-8933
- Donate
For a complete list of Measure N
and Library Master Plan Projects, go
to:
www.oaklandlibr ary.org
For news on city issues, visit
my website and sign up for my weekly
email newsletter at
www.jeanquan.org
Learn More About Measure N...
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Join Us in Voting Yes: Congresswoman Barbara
Lee, Mayor Jerry Brown, Council Members Brunner, Kernighan,
Nadel, Reid, Chang and myself, Supervisors Bitker and Miley,
School Board Members Gallo, Hamill, Jiang, Kakashiba,
Siegel, Spearman, Yee; League of Women Voters, the Central
Labor Council, SEIU 790, IPTE 21, The Montclarion,
Oakland Education Association President Betty Jones, many
PTA's, and more.
Sincerely,
Jean Quan, Vice Mayor & District 4 Council Member
Oakland Neighborhood Library Coalition
phone: 510 530-8361
Not produced or distributed at public expense.
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