Update 6/8: Latest election results on Measure C, opens a new window.
Oakland Public Library branches help our community members find jobs; start small businesses; find housing, legal, and tax assistance; access the internet; and more.
Our libraries provide after-school spaces for children and teens, as well as homework assistance, tutoring programs, and other resources that can help students succeed.
Measure Q is an existing library parcel tax reauthorized by Oakland voters in 2004 and scheduled to last 20 years. Measure Q generates approximately $18 million dollars per year and represents 40% of OPL’s total budget.
Because Measure Q is scheduled to sunset in 2024, City Council approved legislation that will allow Oakland voters to consider an extension of this tax.
To maintain funding for our libraries, city leaders and library advocates have placed Measure C on the June 2022 ballot. All registered Oakland voters will be eligible to vote on Measure C, and it will require a two-thirds yes vote to prevail.
Please download our flyer with more information about Measure C here.
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Measure C does not increase the amount that property owners pay now (it’s an extension of the existing parcel tax at the same rate). - Measure C includes exemptions for low-income seniors and very low-income households.
- Measure C funds can be spent only for Oakland Public Libraries.
- Measure C will sunset after 30 years.
- Measure C requires the City’s General Fund to contribute about $500,000 more to OPL per year than now.
- Like Measure Q, Measure C will generate about $18 million per year for library services.
- Without an extension of Measure Q, OPL will need to drastically reduce services and may need to close as many as 9 branch libraries.
The full legislation can be found here.
