San Rafael voters face Measure P on the local ballot in Tuesday’s election. If approved by a simple majority vote, 30-year bonds will be sold to finance the construction of a new main public library and community center at Albert Park.
The city has grown since the Carnegie library opened Jan. 7, 1909. Even with the 6,000-square-foot addition built in 1960, it’s far too small to accommodate San Rafael’s 21st century needs and expectations.
The city’s official history recounts that “at the time the Library opened, the collection included just over 7,000 volumes; there are now nearly 120,000 books.”
Today, a modern library in an internet-connected world is more than paper books. It remains the heart of any town. As Albert Einstein once said, “The only thing you absolutely have to know is the location of the library.”
The bond will be paid off by a 30-year parcel tax at the rate of $0.145 per square foot of improved building area and $75 per vacant parcel. Those 65 and older are exempt from paying the tax on their principal residence.
Many residents have expressed concerns over the future uses of the Carnegie if Measure P passes. It’s to be noted that Andrew Carnegie’s trust provides that it’s to be used indefinitely for library purposes.
There’s a nonprofit with deep Marin roots that can occupy the structure. The old library is the ideal new home for the Marin History Museum. In 2025, it will celebrate its 90th year serving all of Marin. Its current small exhibition space is at the city-owned Boyd Gate House located near City Hall. The museum’s library, extensive collection of historic artifacts and documents are stored out of sight in south Novato.
Moving the history collection to the Carnegie would create a true Marin County museum and library. There’d be ample space to exhibit the collection and open its library to scholars to conduct research, space for lectures and even a children’s room enabling the youth of Marin to love learning about our county’s rich past. It would also allow space-sharing with other community-based historical societies to increase the visibility of their collections, all leading to a more comprehensive understanding of our county’s history.
The Marin History Museum Board of Directors, of which I’m a member, has agreed to pursue this ambitious goal if Measure P prevails. The Mission City, along with Marin County government, should then collaborate with the museum to make the Carnegie a permanent countywide history library and museum.
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Voters within the boundaries of Mill Valley are unaccustomed to voting for directors on the governing board of the Southern Marin Fire Protection District.
The city has recently combined its fire departments with Southern Marin in order to save money. The agency now serves unincorporated Strawberry, Alto, Almonte, Tamalpais and Homestead valleys, as well as the cities of Mill Valley and Sausalito. For now, Tiburon and Belvedere maintain their own standalone Tiburon Fire Protection District.
Given that wildfire is the greatest threat to life and property in Marin, the competent operation of each fire district and department is of vital importance.
Southern Marin Fire District Director Cliff Waldeck points out that, since 27% of the city’s budget goes for firefighting and prevention, Mill Valley residents need to learn about the candidates now on the ballot and vote. Three board seats are up for election this year.
Waldeck, a former Mill Valley mayor, was appointed to the Southern Marin Fire District board when the city joined the district. Joining him on the ballot are appointed director Ashley Raveche, incumbent director Cathryn Hilliard and volunteer firefighter Rich Riechel.
Columnist Dick Spotswood of Mill Valley writes on local issues Sundays and Wednesdays. Email him at spotswood@comcast.net.