How Local Elections Can Impact Libraries

Gretchen GardellaNo CommentsBlog, Liblime

When Americans head to the polls, presidential races typically dominate headlines. However, local elections—often overlooked by voters—have profound and direct consequences for public library millages, affecting everything from funding and operating hours to collection policies and staffing levels.

The Power of the Ballot Box

Library funding in most communities depends heavily on voter-approved measures. These ballot initiatives, which include millages, levies, and referenda, determine whether libraries can maintain basic services or must drastically scale back operations. In 2024 alone, EveryLibrary tracked 79 library measures on local and statewide ballots, covering funding, building projects, and governance issues (1). The pass rate for operating levies stood at approximately 80 percent, down from the historical 10-year average of 90 percent (1).

The stakes are substantial. Successful measures can generate millions in annual funding, while failures can force libraries to close entirely. For example, Michigan libraries depend on locally dedicated millages for approximately 77 percent of their budget, making these elections critical to their survival (2). When voters in Denver approved a property tax increase in 2022, it generated $36 million annually for the Denver Public Library (3). Conversely, when funding measures fail, the consequences can be severe and immediate.

When Funding Fails: Real-World Consequences

The case of Patmos Library in Michigan illustrates the fragility of library funding. In 2022, voters rejected the library’s millage renewal twice, driven by organized opposition to LGBTQ+ materials in the collection (4). The library faced potential closure until a successful 2023 vote finally secured funding for three more years (5). This pattern reflects a troubling trend: organized political groups using ballot measures as weapons to defund libraries over ideological disagreements.

Similarly, in Craighead County, Arkansas, voters reduced library funding in 2022 (3). When Jonesboro attempted to restore the tax levy in 2024, voters rejected the measure, demonstrating how difficult it can be to recover from funding losses (6). These defeats highlight a critical problem—low voter turnout in local elections allows small, motivated groups to determine outcomes that affect entire communities.

Beyond Funding: Board Elections and Governance

Local elections also determine who serves on library boards, positions that wield enormous power over collection policies, programming, and institutional direction. Because voter participation in these elections is often extremely low, organized groups with specific agendas can easily secure board seats (7). Once in control, board members have defunded libraries, restricted materials, and fundamentally altered library operations from within.

Recent examples include boards that have moved LGBTQ+ books to restricted sections, banned displays on controversial topics, and eliminated entire categories of materials (7). In 2024, pressure groups and government entities—including elected officials and board members—initiated 72 percent of demands to censor books in school and public libraries, while parents accounted for only 16 percent (8). This demonstrates how local elections can transform libraries through both direct funding votes and indirect control via elected and appointed positions.

The 2024 Election Cycle

The November 2024 elections proved mixed for libraries. Of 73 tracked library measures, 54 passed while 13 failed, representing a 76 percent success rate (9). Notable victories included a $195 million earthquake retrofit bond for Pasadena Central Library and a $153 million improvement package for Toledo-Lucas County Library District (9). However, several libraries failed to secure new operating funds, and the overall success rate remained below historical averages.

Statewide measures also proved consequential. North Dakota voters decisively rejected Measure 4, which would have eliminated all local property taxes—a move that would have been catastrophic for libraries, schools, and other public services (6).

The Path Forward

The lesson is clear: local elections matter profoundly for library services. With over 5,800 state legislative seats and thousands of school board races on ballots each cycle (10), every election presents opportunities for voters to protect or endanger their libraries. As library advocate organizations emphasize, showing up to vote in down-ballot races isn’t just a civic duty—it’s essential to preserving these democratic institutions.

 

Sources

  1. Library Journal. (2024, November 11). “Election Day 2024: Libraries on the Ballot.” https://www.libraryjournal.com/story/election-day-2024-libraries-on-the-ballot

  2. Michigan Library Association. “Millages and Tax Capture – Library Funding.” https://www.milibraries.org/millages-and-tax-capture

  3. Library Journal. (2022, November 14). “2022 Library Elections: Mostly Positive but Low Ballot Showing.” https://www.libraryjournal.com/story/2022-library-elections-mostly-positive-but-low-ballot-showing

  4. NBC News. (2022, August 11). “Residents raise almost $100,000 for Michigan library defunded over LGBTQ books.” https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-news/residents-raise-almost-100000-michigan-library-defunded-lgbtq-books-rcna42035

  5. Michigan Public. (2023, November 9). “Voters approve funding for Ottawa County library previously defunded over LGBTQ books.” https://www.michiganpublic.org/politics-government/2023-11-09/voters-approve-funding-for-ottawa-county-library-previously-defunded-over-lgbtq-books

  6. Libraries2024. (2024). “Vote NO! Library Funding on the Ballot in 2024.” https://www.libraries2025.org/vote_no_library_campaigns_2024

  7. Book Riot. (2024, January 12). “Book Banning Will Not Stop at Schools: Book Censorship News.” https://bookriot.com/book-banning-will-not-stop-at-schools

  8. Book Riot. (2024, January 5). “Data Overwhelmingly Supports Libraries and Library Workers: Book Censorship News.” https://bookriot.com/data-overwhelmingly-supports-libraries

  9. EveryLibrary. (2024). “This Election Should Not Determine the Fate of Libraries (But it Might Have).” https://www.everylibrary.org/election2024

  10. EveryLibrary. (2024). “Ballot Watch 2024: Libraries, Funding, and Voter Impact.” https://www.everylibrary.org/ballot_watch_2024