California library referenda: the determinants of success and failure

Abstract

In the past, citizens could take it for granted that California communities would provide public libraries for their citizens. However, due to new fiscal circumstances and a generational shift in how California voters view the role of government, libraries must increasingly take their case for funding directly to the voters. The purpose of this study is to contribute to our understanding of why some library referenda succeed and others do not. From previous works, generates some expectations about the determinants of success and failure in referenda which will then be tested. Speculates on the meaning and implication of the findings. Data for this study consist of all California city and county library measures that have appeared on the ballot since 1980, supplemented with demographic data, political registration data, and the strategy and tactics of the specific campaigns.

Citation

Cain, B.E., Cooper, E., Ferejohn, S. and Potter, C. (1997), "California library referenda: the determinants of success and failure", The Bottom Line, Vol. 10 No. 2, pp. 44-57. https://doi.org/10.1108/08880459710162966