Should Oakland issue $148 million of bonds to build a new main library at Kaiser Center? Here is the argument for a Yes vote. Frankly, this statement signed by one councilmember and an outgoing mayor shows a very low opinion of readers. It hides behind the neighborhood libraries, when in fact the bond proposal for a new luxury main library is an insult to the neighborhoods.

The last time Oakland voters were asked to approve a facilities bond was at the end of WWII. Since 1945 school libraries have closed and students and low-income families increasingly turn to Oakland libraries for tutoring, afterschool programs, homework centers, literacy classes, access to computers, safe havens for youth, and educational support.

In the past 60 years, the physical conditions of our Oakland libraries has deteriorated from age and heavy public use. Thirty years ago there were 23 branch libraries, today just 16. Many libraries are stretched beyond capacity and cannot adequately support current services and programs.

Oakland libraries need basic health and safety repairs. Several libraries do not have public restrooms. There is not enough space for the books, DVDs, CDs, books-on-tape, let alone youth study areas, computers and space for tutoring and group classes.

The Main Library, now over 55 years old, no longer meets the current needs of Oakland's diverse citizens nor current safety or health requirements.

Measure N will:

• Improve all branch libraries for more effective, efficient service and programming;
  
• Fund facility improvements at EVERY branch libary, including computer technology upgrades and improved reading and seating areas;
  
• Construct two new branches in the Laurel and East Oakland, currently without libraries;
  
• Upgrade electical, plumbing and ventilation systems;
  
• Install public restrooms in all libraries currently lacking them;
  
• Move the Main Library to the Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center Arena to provide badly needed technological, reference and collection support to all of Oakland's branch libraries.
  

Measure N requires annual independent audits and an independent citizen oversight committee to ensure Measure N dollars are spent as promised.

Please vote yes to support the first major renovation of Oakland libraries in 60 years.

The campaigners for Measure N offer a rebuttal to the argument for voting No on the palace library. It starts out with baseless smears of their opponents.

The Opponents of Measure N are well-known opponents of efforts to improve the quality of education in Oakland. They believe that by voting no you will be "sending a message" to the city council. The only thing accomplished by voting no is that thousands of Oakland seniors and children will not have access to books and educational materials.

COMMENT: Suddenly the issue is Oakland schools, and supposedly the opponents of a palace library are against education! In fact, it is the City Hall insiders who would waste money on a palace library downtown, money that should go for efficient housing of books and other materials.

Instead of sending messages, look at the facts.

Measure N will repair and renovate every Oakland neighborhood library including Brookfield, Cesar Chavez, Dimond, Eastmont, Elmhurst, Golden Gate, Lakeview, Martin Luther King Jr., Melrose, Montclair, Piedmont Avenue, Rockridge, Temescal, West Oakland and the Asian library.

COMMENT: Even though Measure N would spend twice as much on a palace library downtown as on all the branch libraries combined, the campaigners for Measure N plunge into a list of the neighborhoods. Unfortunately, they omitted the trivial amounts of money promised to these branches.

Measure N will provide the first renovation of Oakland libraries in 60 years. Two new libraries will be completed: one in the Laurel district and a new joint OUSD/public library on 81st Avenue in East Oakland to support the community and local schools.

COMMENT: Nonsense. Oakland has obtained grants from State bond issues and other funds to open branches regularly through the years. Sometimes local residents tax themselves for a library, as the Rockridge district did about ten years ago. In 2004 Oakland voters passed yet another parcel tax in Measure Q. As local and state taxpayers, Oakland residents have paid plenty for libraries, and it is an insult to imply that they have done nothing for 60 years.
As for new neighborhood libraries, don't count on them. The city council mangled the master library system plan when it wrote Measure N. There is no legal obligation to build the neighborhood branches listed. Instead, they will likely be postponed as the palace library construction job runs up a tab well beyond the $100 million it is already slated to get.

The antiquated and inadequate downtown main library will be moved to the Kaiser Arena, closed by the city last year. This new library, paid in part by donations and grants will improve support services for all neighborhood libraries.

COMMENT: The current main library was built to be expanded at some date. It is far more efficient to do just that than attempt to convert Kaiser Arena at a cost of $733 a square foot. No major donations or grants have been announced. The attempt to say that fancy architecture at a main library somehow supports the neighborhood libraries is ridiculous. Support services can be housed in simple commercial space at far less cost.

Measure N ensures Oakland's Libraries have space to provide educational programs such as homework centers, computer labs and turoring services that are otherwise unavailable to Oakland children.

COMMENT: Once again, the campaigners for a palace library hide behind the neighborhood branches, which would get pennies while the palace eats up two-thirds of the funds. Notice that the statement talks about space for computers and such, but does not say where the money for the computers themselves and for tutoring staff would come from.

Measure N will upgrade aging and overused library infrastructures and ensure that every library has public restrooms.

An independent Citizen's Oversight Committee will be appointed to ensure that Measure N is spenbt only on improving our libraries.

Please vote YES.

COMMENT: The oversight committee would be appointed by councilmembers and serve at their pleasure. Measure Y, the so-called violence prevention taxes passed in 2004, has an oversight committee, and it has accomplished absolutely nothing as Oakland's police force remains seriously understaffed.
If these are the best arguments that the campaigners for Measure N can bring forth for $148 million plus an equal amount in bond interest for the next 30 years, it is shameful that they even put the proposal on the ballot.