Community Investment in Libraries

About the Library Sales Tax

In November 2016, Sonoma County voters approved Measure Y, a one-eighth of a cent sales tax to support the Sonoma County Library system.

In November 2024, Sonoma County voters approved Measure W, which renewed the Measure Y sales tax.

Measure Y and Measure W Ordinances and Expenditure Plans

Measure Y Ordinance document

The funds are being used to:

• Increase hours
• Increase access
• Expand collections
• Expand programs and services
• Maintain library facilities

From early literacy programs, to improved access to historical materials; from child and teen programming, to help for veterans and job seekers; from expanded bilingual collections, to new online streaming; your sales tax pennies add up to exciting improvements at your free public library.

As part of our commitment to transparency, the Sonoma County Library Commission appointed a diverse Measure Y Oversight Committee, volunteers like you who meet to review revenues and expenditures. The committee will transition to a Measure W Oversight Committee in 2027, with the same duties.

The committee reports are available here:

Sales Tax Impacts Presentations

• Libraries are for Everyone
• Maintaining and Enhancing Library Collections
• Access to Technology
• Adult Services
• Youth Services
• Human Resources
• Community Engagement
• Outreach and Marketing
• Maintaining & Enhancing Facilities
• Public Services

Measure Y Oversight Committee

Sonoma County Library would like to thank the current members of the Measure Y Oversight Committee:

1. Janis Brokaw, appointed by Barbara Mackenzie
   (Rohnert Park Library Commissioner)
2. Linda Clapp, appointed by Brooke Greene
   (Cloverdale Library Commissioner)
3. Sarah Glade Gurney, appointed by Fred Engbarth
   (Sebastopol Library Commissioner)
4. Jenny Meeker, appointed by Sarah Laggos
   (Joint Santa Rosa City and County of Sonoma Library Commissioner)
5. Vacant, to be appointed by Sonoma Valley Library Commissioner
6. Evette Minor, appointed by David Cahill
   (Santa Rosa Library Commissioner)
7. Mike Neely, appointed by Deborah Doyle
   (Windsor Library Commissioner)
8. Susan Knight, appointed by Eve Goldberg
   (County of Sonoma Library Commissioner)
9. Vacant, to be appointed by Cotati Library Commissioner
10. Tim May, appointed by Paul Heavenridge
    (Petaluma Library Commissioner)
11. Charlene Luks, appointed by Andy Elkind
    (Healdsburg Library Commissioner)

Guidelines for the Citizens’ Oversight Committee for the expenditure of Sales Tax Funds

Sales Tax Oversight Committee document