The Ventura County Elections Office has designated the March BCL ballot measure as “B4.”Blanchard Community Library has been in existence for over 90 years and offers not only traditional library services but also a homework center for teens, FLAIR literacy programs, organized children’s activities and family entertainment as well as special community events. Computers are available for use by the public and the library carries a variety of up-to-date publications. It also houses the impressive Boosey Doll Collection and offers regular Santa Paula Society of the Arts exhibits, including the annual Santa Paula Art & Photography Show.The BCL Endowment Fund was founded 20 years and all funds are kept as a capital asset, invested to produce income for the library.A permanent non-profit corporation, the Endowment’s function is to gather, guard and preserve the donations to create a principal amount that, in turn, is invested in very conservative and solid investments, according to the fundraising letter signed by Endowment Fund President Carl Barringer and Retired Director Edwin Beach.The principal of the Endowment Fund is kept intact the fundraising letter emphasizes.Others who serve on the Endowment Fund board are Alan Atmore, Mike Kaplan, Judy Triem and Pat Alderson.For more information about the “B4 the Library” organizational committee meeting, call Robles at 525-2394.Donations for the Endowment Fund can be mailed c/o Pat Alderson, 11840 W. Telegraph Road, Santa Paula, CA 93060.
Organizational meeting for BCL ballot measure Jan. 7th
December 31, 2003
Santa Paula News
A giving drive has been launched for the Blanchard Community Library Endowment Fund while BCL directors are planning to ask voters to approve an increase in their property tax to help fund the financially ailing library.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesA giving drive has been launched for the Blanchard Community Library Endowment Fund while BCL directors are planning to ask voters to approve an increase in their property tax to help fund the financially ailing library.An organizational meeting of the “B4 the Library!” will be held on Wednesday, January 7 at 7 p.m. at BCL, 119 N. 8th St.Through the March 2nd measure, property owners will be asked to approve a $15 boost to the $25 annually that is given to BCL, for a total of $40 a year, said Librarian Dan Robles.The state fiscal crisis - as well as the stagnant economy and lack of new homes - has hammered BCL funding.“The library is struggling to continue to maintain the level of services residents have come to expect from their public library,” said Robles.“We have hated to reduce public service hours, like we did in July,” said BCL Board President Dr. Dora Crouch. “Unfortunately, more cuts are in store unless we can pass the requested increase.”Voters overwhelmingly approved the $25 annual property tax about a decade ago.
