On June 7, the voters of Kern County will have the opportunity to voice their opinion on a new ballot measure that aims to fund our public libraries with a one-eighth-cent sales tax increase.

The new measure, which is called Measure F, was created by a non-partisan grassroots organization called the Advocates for Library Enhancement.

The organization formed as a response to the idea of privatizing Kern County’s public libraries.

Librarian and co-founder of ALE Mandy Walters explained why she decided to get involved.

“I moved to Bakersfield three years ago from a rural county in Arkansas that had 40,000 people living there, and we had a 30,000 square foot, high tech 21st century library, so I could only imagine what amazing things a town like Bakersfield with over 300,000 people was going to be doing in their libraries, and when I got here it was not that way at all.”

Walters explained that the real issue plaguing Kern County libraries is not being able to transition into the 21st century solely because of chronic underfunding.

Measure F was created as a solution to this problem.

“People still believe that a library is a repository for books, and after seeing what a 21st century library could do in Arkansas, that is not the case,” said Walters.

The co-founder explained that if Measure F is passed, it would allow our Kern County libraries to expand their services such as literacy programs for all ages.

It would also add updated technology like tablets and laptops for public use.

One aspect of Measure F that Walters stressed is that any money generated will not be placed in the general fund, with the understanding by the Board of Supervisors that it is for the libraries.

All funds will be put aside in a separate account and by law cannot be utilized for anything other than enhancing Kern County public libraries.

Another important feature of Measure F, according to Walters, is that it will establish a community oversight committee.

The committee will be made of five volunteers, appointed by their board of supervisors’ representatives, to make sure the money is being used responsibly and distributed equally for all the Kern County libraries.

Fellow co-founder Miranda Lomeli-O’Reilly discussed that the biggest trailblazer for the Advocates of Library Enhancement and Measure F has been Fresno County.

Lomelli-O’Reilly explained that in 1998 Fresno passed a similar measure that the public has loved so much they have renewed it twice.

“I can see that there is a solution to being on lists such as third least educated and most illiterate, because there is no reason we can’t have something similar to Fresno,” said Lomeli-O’Reilly.

Measure F, if passed, will expire in eight years and cannot be modified or changed without voter approval.

Both Walters and Lomeli-O’Reilly emphasize for anyone questioning whether or not to vote yes on Measure F that it is an investment in our community and in our children and our children’s children to have libraries that provide people the resources they need for success.

Besides the six volunteer board members of ALE, Walters says that it has taken hundreds of people donating to the campaign, canvassing, and informing library patrons to try and make the measure a success, and more volunteers are welcome.

If you are interested in supporting the Measure F campaign or have any questions, feel free to visit the ALE Facebook page, kernlibraryadvocates. com, or drop by the campaign headquarters between noon to 5 p.m. at 1430 Truxton Ave., suite 100.