Between FY 2019 and FY 2024, the El Cerrito Library experienced a significant 43% decline in foot traffic. In 2019, the library recorded 171,262 visits, which decreased to 96,798 by 2024—a reduction of 74,464 visits. This trend reflects a broader pattern across the Contra Costa Library system, which saw an overall 31% decline in foot traffic during the same period. For instance, the Kensington Library reported a 35% decrease, highlighting a regional shift in library usage.
Despite this decline, El Cerrito is proposing a $300 annual parcel tax to fund the construction of a new 21,000 square-foot library. While investing in libraries is essential for community enrichment, these figures raise critical questions: Is there sufficient demand to justify a facility of this size, and can the city sustain such an investment when foot traffic data suggests a diminishing reliance on physical library spaces?
The proposal appears disconnected from current trends in library usage. With fewer than 100,000 visits annually—a 43% decrease in just five years—it’s challenging to justify the need for a larger facility. Asking residents to shoulder a $300 annual tax burden, particularly in a time of declining in-person engagement, deserves careful scrutiny.
El Cerrito’s decision-makers must address this misalignment between usage patterns and financial expectations, ensuring the community’s needs and priorities are genuinely reflected in such a significant investment.
#ElCerrito #ParcelTax #LibraryFunding #CommunityInvestment #ContraCostaLibraries #PublicLibraries #TaxpayerDollars #ElCerritoLibrary #LibraryFootTraffic #TransparencyMatters #LocalGovernment #FiscalResponsibility
El Cerrito Committee for Responsible Government (ECCRG) 
The City is purchasing the apartment building that will house the library with the developer and their contribution to the 6 story apartment building out of the $100,000,000 construction budget is the $21,000,000 bond proceeds that will be issued by the City and contributed to the project and repaid by the property taxpayers of El Cerrito. Its that simple. Do you want to give the City $21,000,000 to own and operate an apartment building? The Library Commission operates the library and is paid with CCC property taxpayers 1.25% of their 1% property tax payment. The City has nothing to do with operating the library except additional hours the City can contribute to the budget up to a max of 6 hours extra per week.
In regards to the library I think the Head Librarian would disagree about the library statistice if you read the 2024-2025 Library Commission budget. 2024-2025 library budget.pdf https://drive.google.com/file/d/19y9I9WgvLt5TfNIN3_4Nc16-prAGiuoa/view?usp=drive_web
On Wed, Dec 4, 2024 at 10:39â¯AM El Cerrito Committee for Responsib
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We agree with you Did you see the 11/11 blog? After researching your information we created a blog about the building size
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