When you consider your voting options this election season, a YES vote on Initiative 5A stands out as the best option for you and your community. Initiative 5A is the Yes to Libraries initiative. A YES on 5A is a bipartisan vote and a win-win for your community.
A YES vote on 5A will bring a new library to Castle Pines on the northwest corner of Monarch and Castle Pines Parkway. A YES vote on 5A will bring a new library to Parker (on donated land) and a new library in Lone Tree (also on donated land). In addition to three new libraries, renovations and upgrades are planned for the Philip S. Miller Library in Castle Rock and the Highlands Ranch Library. A Yes vote on 5A will increase storage capacity and inventory throughout the Douglas County Library system-this will minimize wait times for on-hold books, CDs and DVDs.
During a recent visit to the Lone Tree Library, I was forced to park a block away from the library because the parking lot was completely full. As the population in Douglas County grows, the demand placed on Douglas County Library resources grows tremendously.
In these tough economic times families must stretch their dollars. Libraries represent the very best money-saving alternative for families. I recently received a letter from
Kelli B, the mother of two boys, ages two and four.
Kelli B writes: "Dear
Corbin, I have been keeping up with the Yes to Libraries campaign and your efforts to get the word out about libraries. No need to convince me. Without libraries my family's entertainment dollar would stop at our door. But with libraries we are able to view current DVD movies, read books, and enjoy story time. My boys love going to the library. When we visit the library, the staff and fellow patrons become our extended family. My boys are able to grow outside themselves through interaction with other children at the library and through story time. Having a local library is a priceless commodity for our community. Thank you for your efforts to make libraries a part of our everyday lives!"
Numerous cities and metro districts have stepped up in support of Douglas County Libraries and the Yes to Libraries campaign. Why would these public entities support libraries? Because they know the value a thriving library system bringsto communities. Consider these Yes to Librariessupporters.
- Castle Pines North Metropolitan District
- Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce
- Castle Rock Chamber of Commerce
- Castle Rock Economic Development Council
- City of Castle Pines North
- City of Lone Tree
- Colorado Community Newspapers (Douglas County/Castle Rock News-Press, Parker Chronicle, Highlands Ranch Herald and the Lone Tree Voice)
- Highlands Ranch Chamber of Commerce
- Highlands Ranch Community Association
- Parker Economic Development Council
- Parker Downtown Development Council
- Town of Castle Rock
- Town of Parker
On September 23rd, The Ridge Golf Club hosted a fundraiser to support the Yes to Libraries Campaign.
Dr. Andrew Dunbar of
Castle Pines Orthodontics made a generous contribution to the Yes to Libraries campaign.
Dr.Dunbar made the donation because he realizes the value of community libraries. Dr. Dunbar is married with 2 daughters. He practiced general dentistry and orthodontics in the US Navy for 9 years before becoming an orthodontist. Dr. Dunbar and his family moved to Castle Pines in June of 2002 and his was the first orthodontic office in the community. Dr. Dunbar said, "I donated to a great community cause. The Yes to Libraries fundraising effort will serve to enhance the existing informational resources for our community." Dr. Dunbar added, "The community that we love so much truly supports
Castle Pines Orthodontics and we are honored to be able to give back to our community." Castle Pines Orthodontics focuses on children and families.
Families, cities, metro districts and local business owners are all in support of Initiative 5A. Why? Because they know that libraries represent a tremendous value for the community. A recent study confirms that $1 invested in your library brings a return of $5 in goods and services.The 1 mill levy request amounts to just $23.88 a year for an average $300,000 home-less than the cost of one hardcover book. This modest increase will be reduced by .4 once the new buildings are paid off. This high respect for you as a tax payer confirms that Douglas County Libraries are responsible stewards of your tax dollars.
The support for Initiative 5A has brought out the best in all of us. Volunteers and supporters and families in the community are coming together, sharing goals and dreams. Libraries bring people together. A YES vote on 5A is a vote for our community and ourselves. Please say YES to libraries. For more informationemail:
info@yestolibraries.com or visit:
www.yestolibraries.com.