Henderson rejects library help again

Jeffrey Libby

Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2002 | 9:29 a.m.

Henderson voters turned down a library tax Tuesday, but Boulder City voters decided a motocross park was an appropriate use of desert land after initially opposing the idea.

For the Henderson District Public Library, it was the second convincing defeat in a little more than a year, leaving the district with dim hopes of improving its books-per-person average -- which is currently worst in the state -- anytime soon. Fifty-seven percent of voters rejected the initiative to 43 percent voting in favor.

"At this point we'll have to accomplish what we can with what we've got," said Joan Kerschner, library district director. "And it won't be any buildings, that's for sure."

The library district had hoped to use a 4-cent tax hike to build, stock and operate six new libraries throughout the city, adding to the two facilities it operates today. The tax would have raised $2.5 million a year for 30 years.

The library district supplies just one book for every resident, tied with North Las Vegas for the worst in the state.

The library district opened a new $6.6 million library this fall, but it took six years of saving, Kerschner said. After Tuesday's defeat, the district will save only toward buying books to maintain its two facilities, she said.

Motocross enthusiasts have brighter prospects in Boulder City. Voters passed an advisory question with 60 percent for and 40 percent against, approving a motocross park on 50 acres about 12 miles southwest of downtown in the Eldorado Valley.