Coalition for Neighborhood Libraries

05/25/2022

Thanks to all who voted for the library bond and millage reduction proposal. It passed! Excited for the future of Central Arkansas Library System !

05/19/2022

By voting FOR the library millage reduction and refinancing issue you can support CALS' genealogy and community efforts.

"If Little Rock voters approve the proposal on the May 24 primary ballot to renew property taxes that pay for capital improvements, CALS will have project funds to enhance the library's digital capacity for preserving family records and community histories.
That means more of our individual and collective stories survive for generations to come. And perhaps we gain a better understanding of the challenges of today and tomorrow."

In this amazing modern age, swabbing the inside of your cheek can illuminate your family tree and introduce you to ancestors and relatives in faraway places or times. I find that technology astounding, maybe even a bit frightening. I also wonder if the commercial tools that make this information ava...

05/19/2022

https://katv.com/news/local/libraries-of-little-rock-are-on-the-ballot-on-may-24th-central-arkansas-library-system-rhonda-stewart

"The proposal on the ballot will allow people to vote to lower their property tax rates by 25%. Nate Coulter, director of the Central Arkansas Library System, said it's a property tax residents are already paying and that it allows libraries to refinance and
extend their current bonds."

As the May 24th election draws closer, the Central Arkansas Library System is hoping constituents vote in favor to support their efforts to help renovate libraries across Little Rock. The proposal on the ballot will allow people to vote to lower their property tax rates by 25 %. Nate Coulter, direct...

05/17/2022

Thanks to the Arkansas Community Organizations for their support of the millage reduction and library bond issue on May 24th!

Arkansas Community Organizations:

Vote FOR the Library Millage Reduction and Bond Issue on the May 24 Ballot

Little Rock -- Today Arkansas Community Organizations released the following statement in support of the Central Arkansas Library System's proposal on the May 24 ballot.

"Arkansas Community Organizations is proud to announce our endorsement of the Central Arkansas Library System property tax decrease and bond refinancing on the May 24 ballot. If it passes, property tax rates would be lower in Little Rock. The bond refinancing would create revenue for building improvements, a state of the art bookmobile and technology improvements.

The library system in Little Rock has been a great resource for our neighborhoods. Let's show our support by voting FOR the CALS proposal on the ballot.

Early voting is in progress. Election day is Tuesday, May 24. Go to the polls and vote for our libraries."

05/16/2022

Remember that on your May 24th Primary ballot you can vote FOR our libraries AND reduce your property tax rates at the same time. It's a WIN-WIN!

05/10/2022

We've had some questions and want to make sure everyone understands the library issue on your Little Rock ballot.

This proposal does not do away with the .5 mill increase that voters passed in November. That millage was for library operations and can only be used for those purposes.

There is a separate millage currently in place that the library system can use for capital improvements (such as buildings, infrastructure, assets). On your May 24th ballot, CALS is asking voters to renew our capital improvement millage, but at a lower rate (going down from 1.8 to 1.3 mills). They'll be able to bond that new amount, while taxpayers will see a reduction in the property tax rates they pay.

Hope that helps clear up any confusion!

05/10/2022

Thanks to the Arkansas Times for a great explanation of the library bond issue on the May 24th ballot and why we should support it!

“So what is going on? Voters are being asked to refinance existing library bonds that go toward building and maintenance costs of the library system, but at a lower rate than before. Asking voters to refinance bonds is standard operating procedure, Coulter explained.”

05/10/2022

The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette / ArkansasOnline.com Editorial Page endorsed the library ballot issue in today’s edition! It’s a Win-Win!

“It's that time in an election year: Endorsements from newspapers are coming in quick. Some of these endorsements are difficult decisions. Some of them are easy. Today's falls in the easy category… this vote sounds like a winner for all concerned, including taxpayers.”

It's that time in an election year: Endorsements from newspapers are coming in quick. Some of these endorsements are difficult decisions. Some of them are easy. Today's falls in the easy category.

05/08/2022

Early voting starts tomorrow! Vote FOR our future.
Vote FOR the Central Arkansas Library System.

Early voting begins Monday in Little Rock for a May 24 special election on whether to lower the millage rate tied to capital improvements for the Central Arkansas Library System and to refinance debt.

05/02/2022

On May 24th, Little Rock voters will have an opportunity to support our libraries with additional funding while reducing our property tax rates.

Vote FOR the library proposal on your primary ballot. It's a win-win!

04/27/2022

When Little Rock voters approved a half mill increase in the library’s operational millage last November, CALS board and administrators wanted to provide voters with a subsequent opportunity to reduce the capital-improvement millage by the same amount this year. If the 0.5-mill reduction passes, CALS will be able to refinance some existing capital debt by issuing new bonds which will generate money for projects like a bookmobile and improvements to library spaces.

Learn more at https://cals.org/millage-2022