The San Rafael Public Library Foundation (SRPLF) board of directors, leading a citizen’s initiative to fund and build a new library and community center for San Rafael, says it has collected enough signatures to qualify its plan to be on the November 5 ballot.
On April 16, the group’s attorneys delivered 3,680 valid signatures from San Rafael registered voters who are in support of the Revitalize San Rafael initiative to the City of San Rafael Clerk. This total exceeds the required threshold of 3,242. The San Rafael City Clerk has thirty days to verify and certify the signatures, then present to the San Rafael City Council for approval of the initiative to become a measure on the November 5 ballot.
Approval of the initiative would authorize and fund the planning and construction of a modern library and community center at Albert Park to serve the needs of current and future residents. Funds from the initiative may also be used to upgrade San Rafael’s neighborhood branch libraries. The initiative would also require the City of San Rafael to preserve the historic Carnegie Library in Downtown San Rafael for civic and community use and establish a public process to determine the future use of this historic building.
SRPLF board president Gary Ragghianti said, “This citizen initiative is the culmination of literally years of work discussing the pressing need for a new library for the citizens of San Rafael. We were gratified to see the positive response of the many who signed our petition and joined us in support of our goal to see the question of construction of a new and much needed modern library in Albert Park placed before the voters in San Rafael in November.”
According to Joe O’Hehir, SRPLF board member and chair of the committee, “The community response by San Rafael registered voters has been positive. They see both the need and the benefit of having 21st century library services coupled with a new community center at Albert Park. It will be a multigenerational game changer, creating a safe and interactive community gathering space for both young and old.”
To ensure the cost of this measure is not a burden to residents on fixed incomes, homeowners age 65 and over are eligible for an optional exemption.
For more information about this initiative, visit www.revitalizesanrafael.org.
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