Our History of Supporting the Solano County Library
In 1994, the economic situation for public libraries all over the State looked bleak. Changes in state funding formulas stripped millions of dollars from local libraries. Solano County Library (SCL) revenues were down 25%, operating hours were reduced 27%, book purchases slashed by 39% and library staff resources were cut by 28%. The community was missing the most basic services - like reasonable library hours and access to materials. Something had to be done. Members of the community took action and formed the Solano County Library Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, to raise funds to offset some of these losses. During that critical time the Solano County Library Foundation funded projects essential to the Library. We:
• Provided funding for children's books and other materials at all SCL branches
• Provided funding for new, updated computers at 4 libraries
• Purchased extensive computer software upgrades, making access to the library's collection easier
• Partnered with Anheuser-Busch to provide hardware for a local job search database
• Partnered with General Mills in Vallejo to add computer resources to the Literacy program
• Underwrote the cost of a children's mural when Rio Vista opened a new library to replace the one that burned in 1993
The Foundation's contributions to SCL were significant, but we couldn't provide the type of sustained funding the Library needed to restore lost services. County residents recognized that fact and passed Measure B, the 1/8th cent sales tax for library services, in 1998.
With the Library's funding more secure we turned our attention to other library needs that could not be funded with tax dollars.