Libraries

Happy Spring everyone! We hope you’re excited about the longer and warmer days and for the progress to come in our community. We’re back to bring you the latest news and happenings around town. Let’s get to it!

A Help request:

The Boulder Public Library has been underfunded for decades, yet over 1 million people walk through its doors each year. As the saying goes, when the city of Boulder sneezes, the library gets a cold. During the pandemic, the library took the brunt of permanent cuts – around 17% – while only representing 3% of the overall budget. This funding has not been restored, and there is now a push by local residents (Boulder Library Champions) to form a library district. Library districts are extremely common in Colorado and they give libraries a reliable and consistent form of funding.  

Unfortunately, some of Boulder’s conservative and Republican leadership have been spreading misinformation about the details of the district, so it’s important that library supporters stand up and be heard! Luckily, recent polling shows that more than 7 out of 10 likely voters are in support of forming a library district! That’s awesome, but there’s more work to be done, and we could certainly use your help! There’s a public hearing on April 5, in which the city will vote on whether to send the district proposal to the ballot.

Join your neighbors in speaking up in support of the Boulder Library finally getting a stable funding model by emailing city council and your county commissioners.

Awesome:

There’s a new opinion page in town 🤠, and it’s chock full of local voices from a diverse set of backgrounds and beliefs. You can find all of it over at the Boulder Beat where the “BBOP” (“bee-bop” – Boulder Beat Opinion Page) is a fact-checked, peer-reviewed collection of writers. Their first few topics have covered the library district, day shelter services, and RTD’s service shift. They’re still looking for a few more writers to join the team. If you think you’d be a good fit check out the application here. 

In addition to the Opinions and Perspectives board the Beat also hosts guest commentary and Letters to the Editor. Looking to share an opinion? Have a comment about recent news or opinions expressed? Submit a note to the Beat, and help contribute to diverse, public speech in Boulder.
If you would like to sign up to receive the Boulder Beat Newsletter, including the BBOP, follow this link to sign up!
 

Not Awesome:

Our new 24/7, 365-day fire season 😭. Big thanks to Boulder Fire and mutual aid from neighboring agencies, as well as the recent preventive undergrowth and forest thinning in the area. No structures were destroyed and no one was hurt in last week’s NCAR Fire.

Up Next:

While it’s still a ways off, in early June you’ll receive your primary ballots. There are two competitive races that will be voted on. County Commissioner District 3 and, for the first time in 20+ years, a new sheriff. Candidates for the Commissioners race are Elaina Shively, Lisa Widdekind, and Ashley Stoltzmann. Candidates for Sheriff are Curtis Johnson and David Hayes.

Interesting:

Or in this case, exciting! The recent victories for organized labor in our local community as well as across the country. We’re elated to see workers coming together and organizing for better wages and working conditions, whether it be at Amazon or Spruce Confections, REI, King Soopers, or at coffee shops across the nation. 💪💪💪

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As always, find us on our social channels for the latest news and views.

Till next time,

BP