Fort Lewis Mesa and Sunnyside elementary schools are a good distance from Durango, and their communities have enjoyed their libraries. It is not only reading programs that make them both bright spots as places to gather. They are places for youth and adult groups to meet and to use a computer where connectivity might otherwise be lacking.
But if they do not acquire new funding, the after school resources and opportunities will come to an end.
School District 9-R created and improved the expanded library spaces, and grants identified by 9-R have provided funding during the most recent two years. Prior to that, county funds supported almost 30 years of use.
The libraries have developed a strong following since they were created, Fort Lewis Mesa Elementary library in 1981 and Sunnyside Elementary in 1999. Now it is time to create a library district and a funding mill levy to make the operations of both possible.
This election, voters who live in precincts around the two libraries will vote to create a district and approve a 1.5 mill which is expected to raise $427,000 in the first year. Both libraries will benefit from the shared library district with that funding.
While programs at both libraries have been tailored to their respective communities, the expectation is that, with local district leadership at the new district, links between users of all ages and programs will be even closer.
After-school access will be assured. Computers that need to be upgraded can be, and families that are home-schooling will continue to have evening access.
A family center, which used to exist at the Fort Lewis Mesa elementary, could be brought back.
County commissioners are expected to split the choice of district board members between the two schools’ geographic areas.
With a Yes vote comes the challenge for library advocates to span the time between the end of the current operating grants, June 2020, with the receipt in early 2021 of the initial proceeds from the mill levy. Borrowing will be necessary, which they believe can occur.
Libraries are more than shelves of books. They are places where community members of all ages come together for a mix of activities and events.
With a mill levy and the local governance that comes from the new district, Fort Lewis Mesa and Sunnyside elementary schools can continue to do all they do as community centers.
We vote Yes on 6D.
