El Cerrito agents are selling residents a dream: a new, state-of-the-art library. But hidden beneath the campaign’s glossy promises is a reality that voters need to understand. If passed, the proposed library tax will be collected regardless of whether the library project is ever implemented.
That’s the bait and switch.
Tax First, Deliverables Later—If Ever
The measure is structured to guarantee a permanent stream of revenue, even if construction stalls, costs spiral, or priorities shift. Residents will pay the tax regardless. Once the funds start flowing, there is no clawback if the library doesn’t materialize.
And while supporters frame this as “building for the future,” the truth is that much of the early money will be front-loaded into a BART-related project—not directly into building a community library.
Do We Really Lack Library Access?
El Cerrito is already part of the Contra Costa County Library system. That gives residents full access to a countywide network of books, eBooks, audiobooks, movies, and more—through apps like Hoopla, Kanopy, and Libby.
Every school in El Cerrito has a library. Our city already boasts a large community center and multiple parks that provide space for gatherings, learning, and recreation.
The claim that our city is starved for library resources simply doesn’t hold up.
The Hidden Costs of Digital Libraries
Advocates often point to “expanded access,” but few mention the steep cost structure behind digital library materials. While a print book costs $8–$30 and lasts indefinitely, eBooks cost around $40 and audiobooks $73 each—with licenses that expire. Libraries spend millions just to maintain access to titles, meaning a chunk of this tax revenue will go to ongoing vendor fees rather than community infrastructure.
Why This Matters
Residents deserve honesty about what this tax will—and won’t—deliver. Framing it as a “library tax” makes it sound like a straightforward investment in a long-promised facility. In reality, it’s an open-ended revenue stream with no guarantees, no accountability, and priorities that extend beyond the library itself.
Before signing petitions or voting “yes,” El Cerrito residents should ask:
Why commit to a forever tax when we already have countywide library access? Why tie our dollars to a project that could stall—or be redirected? Why not demand real deliverables before agreeing to pay?
El Cerrito families already face high property taxes, rising sales taxes, and the burden of living in one of the Bay Area’s most expensive communities. A new tax without guarantees is not responsible governance—it’s a bait and switch.
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El Cerrito Committee for Responsible Government (ECCRG) 