Imperial Valley press., 1937-04-18
WHY THE LIBRARY BONDS ARE
AN EMERGENCY NECESSITY

For the past several weeks the con-
sciencious voter has entertained severe
doubts whether to vote. next Tuesday.
Tor or against the $4,000 bond issue for
a new library.
The state of indecision has been we'll
rounded, NO one desires new taxes. and
especially IN the present post-depression
economic situation. Furthermore, there
is unanimity of opinion that if there is
any way to avoid expenditure for wear
or so, it should be postponed. And in
the last analysis, the extent of the i'm
mediate need has been a question mark.
After care f ii investigation and
thought many conservative elements
and taxpayers are agreeing that the
bonds should be voted. There are many
reasons for the affirmative decision.
In the first place, even if the entire
cost is added to the present tax rate. it
would cost us taxpayers an average only
OF % cents for every $1,000 we now pay
in city taxes. This amounts to but 81 90
ON every $4,000 home And it is more
than possible that half of this may be
betrayed from general library operating
funds making little if any tax increase
necessary.
For this small consideration, we can
solve a serious, emergency problem of
the entire community. For the price of
movie show, few packages of cigar
ettes a pair of silk hose or a necktie,
we can eliminate a most serious obstacle
TO the public service of the library.
Our library is the 18th largest NUM-
cipal library in California-a fact to be
proud of and fact to show its impor-
tance in our community The largest one
in Imperial Valley, it brings visitors here
regularly from all parts of the valley
and in this respect, is just as important
a civic asset as the court house, our pack
ing industries, or our largest mercan-
tile establishment
Anyone visiting the temporary quar-
ters on Seventh street can see for them
selves we are hiding our light under a
bushel' by so hampering the library
operation as to throttle its usefulness,
discourage visitors and literally waste
so per cent of the present investment in
personnel and books.
The library board, composed of out
standing men of sane judgment and
conservative tendencies, who own real
estate and pay taXes-have recommend
ed a new structure as against efforts to
repair the old building on State street.
Every voter who will examine the old
structure inside and out can understand
the boards recommendation. To rein
force the cracked and dangerous ~
year old building, would be to spend an
estimated $4,000 to $4,000 and end up
with what we started with, namely, an
old building which was large enough in
It's day, but in 1887 is only half big
enough to meet the needs of this grown
and growing community. Simply put,
it would be throwing good money after
bad.
Granting, then, that the library faces
an emergency and that the only way to
meet that emergency properly and eff
GENTLY is to build, it would appear that
construction now, rather than a year
or so hence when building costs will have
climbed is the only alternative.
The next question becomes: "If we
must build now, can't we make it cheap
err"
A year ago, it was proposed to issue
$l65, 900 in bonds for a real library-city
hall edifice That proposal was voted
down. The present proposal is for only
a fraction Of that amount; namely $780,
600. Certainly that sum cannot build
structure twice the size of the old library
and have many surplus dollars left over
for frills or do-gadgets. Builders and
contractors will agree that the proposal
TO make this sum cover a building of
5000 SQUARE feet of floor space, and at
II. - +;roo build fo, ,arrna0ancv in