By Linda Taaffe

Library officials were already working on a plan to beef up the Santa Clara County Library District’s materials collection last week just days after voters approved a May 3 ballot measure to extend the current parcel tax another 10 years.

Without the tax extension, the nine district libraries - including two in Los Altos - would have faced a 20 percent reduction in operational costs at the end of this month. Measure A will keep library services status quo, officials said. The tax appears to be the only option for long-term funding since the state government cut 44 percent of the operational budget in the early 1990s, according to district officials.

While 72.04 percent of residents voted for the tax extension, a second measure on the mail-in ballot did not pass. Measure B - which would have increased the current $33.66 parcel tax by $12 a year - fell shy of the 66.7 percent majority vote needed to pass. The ballot received 64.23 percent of the vote. Measure B would have restored library services to last year’s levels before state budget cuts.

Library officials appeared pleased with the outcome.

“I’m absolutely thrilled that Measure A passed with such an overwhelming result,” said Cheryl Houts, head librarian at the Los Altos main library. “This means no layoffs. … I would have been pleased to have Measure B pass, too, but this is good.”

The extended tax will maintain about $5.4 million annually in supplemental funding. Hours and staffing levels will remain intact at all sites.

Los Altos main library will remain closed Mondays, and Woodland will remain closed Sundays and Mondays.

Deputy County Librarian Sarah Flowers said officials were adjusting the budget to increase the materials budget over the next year.

The increase will not be as much as it was in 2003-04, but patrons can expect a slight increase, she said.

The Measure B defeat left many Los Altos patrons scratching their heads.

Dolly Sandoval, co-chairwoman of the election committee, said she believes the election results show that the people like the libraries and want to keep them open.

“I don’t think we’re at that point in time in the economy when people are willing to raise taxes,” Sandoval said.

Sandoval said the Joint Powers Authority, which governs the district, does not intend to ask voters to raise the tax again any time soon.

“We’re going to respect voters. Maybe in a couple of years people will be willing to increase it,” she said.