Library Preservation Fund

Shall the City amend the Charter to renew the Library Preservation Fund for 25 years, allow the City to temporarily freeze the annual minimum funding for the Library when the City anticipates a budget deficit over $300 million, and require the Library to increase the minimum hours the Main Library and its branches must be open per week?

Digest by the Ballot Simplification Committee

The Way It Is Now: The City Charter establishes a Library Preservation Fund (Fund), set to expire on June 30, 2023. The Fund pays for library services and construction and maintenance of library facilities at the Main Library and its 27 branches (Library). The City dedicates a portion of its annual property taxes to the Fund at a rate of 2½ cents per $100 of assessed property value.

The Fund supports the Library in addition to minimum funding that the Charter requires the City to provide each year. This minimum funding was originally set as the amount the City provided in the 2006–07 fiscal year and has since been adjusted based on changes in the City’s discretionary revenues.

The Charter requires the Library to be open to the public for at least 1,211 hours every week. To change the total number of hours that libraries must be open, the Library Commission must hold public hearings in the district of each member of the Board of Supervisors.

The Proposal: Proposition F is a Charter amendment that would renew the Fund for 25 years, until June 2048. The money in the Fund would still come from the same annual property tax, with no increase in the tax rate. The Fund would continue to pay for library services and construction and maintenance of the facilities of the Library.

Proposition F would also:

• allow the City to temporarily freeze increases to the annual minimum funding when the City anticipates a budget deficit over $300 million; and

• require the Main Library and its branches to be open for at least 1,400 hours per week. After July 1, 2028, the Library Commission may modify these hours every five years, after holding public hearings in the district of each member of the Board of Supervisors.

A "YES" Vote Means: If you vote "yes," you want to renew the Library Preservation Fund for 25 years, allow the City to temporarily freeze the annual minimum funding for the Library when the City anticipates a budget deficit over $300 million, and require the Main Library and its branches to increase the minimum hours they must be open per week.

A "NO" Vote Means: If you vote "no," you do not want to make these changes.

Controller's Statement on "F"

City Controller Ben Rosenfield has issued the following statement on the fiscal impact of Proposition F:

Should the proposed Charter amendment be approved by the voters, in my opinion, it would have a minimal impact on the cost of government. It would renew existing uses of property tax funds and other city revenues for the Library.

The amendment renews a voter-approved Charter requirement that property tax revenues in the amount of 2.5 cents out of every $100 of assessed valuation be used exclusively by the Library for services and materials. The amendment extends the period of the property tax set-aside for twenty-five years, through fiscal year (FY) 2047–2048. Property tax revenues provide the Library with approximately $83.1 million annually in FY 2022–23.

In addition, the amendment extends the current baseline requirement that the City maintain and increase discretionary revenues allocated for library services. The baseline amount is approximately $112.8 million annually in FY 2022–23 and would change in future years given changes in overall discretionary revenues. The amendment would allow the City to temporarily freeze increases to baseline funding in years when the City projects a budget deficit in the upcoming year of more than $300 million.

The Charter amendment would also require the Library to continue to provide at least 1,400 permanent system-wide service hours and existing permanent branch hours until 2028.

How "F" Got on the Ballot

On July 19, 2022, the Board of Supervisors voted 11 to 0 to place Proposition F on the ballot. The Supervisors voted as follows:

Yes: Chan, Dorsey, Mandelman, Mar, Melgar, Peskin, Preston, Ronen, Safai, Stefani, Walton.

No: None.

This measure requires 50%+1 affirmative votes to pass.

Proponent’s Argument in Favor of Proposition F

PROTECT OUR LIBRARIES, VOTE TO RENEW THE LIBRARY PRESERVATION FUND

Our public libraries are a critical part of our city. They are essential to families, youth, and all San Franciscans who rely on the library's free resources. We have a world-class library system as the result of the Library Preservation Fund, originally passed by voters in 1994 and renewed in 2007.

The Library Preservation Fund has allowed the library system to:

• Expand to 27 neighborhood branches and keep libraries open seven days a week

• Triple its print and online book collections

• Create the city's largest free WIFI network and provide 1,000 computer stations

• Maintain a staff of Librarians at every location

• Expand literacy and learning support for K-12 students, adults, and non-English speakers

• Help residents find jobs and open small businesses

The Library Preservation Fund makes up 97% of the Library's annual budget and will expire in 2023. Voting Yes on Proposition F will renew the Library Preservation Fund for 25 years with no new taxes. It will allow the Library to expand its wide-ranging services and respond to the needs of the community. Without Proposition F, library hours and resources will be slashed and branches will close.

Voting Yes on Proposition F will:

• Require the Main Library and all 27 branch libraries to stay open and increase the minimum number of hours.

• Ensure that we maintain library infrastructure with renovations, support new construction, and respond to public emergencies.

• Provide a consistent source of funding for our libraries for 25 years without raising taxes.

Vote Yes on Proposition F so the San Francisco Public Library can continue to provide vital education and literacy services, employment resources, and computer access for all San Franciscans for generations to come.

Mayor London Breed

Supervisor Shamann Walton, Board President

Supervisor Connie Chan

Supervisor Catherine Stefani

Supervisor Aaron Peskin

Supervisor Gordon Mar

Supervisor Dean Preston

Supervisor Matt Dorsey

Supervisor Myrna Melgar

Supervisor Rafael Mandelman

Supervisor Hilary Ronen

Supervisor Ahsha Safai

Arguments are the opinions of the authors and have not been checked for accuracy by any official agency. Arguments are published as submitted. Spelling and grammatical errors have not been corrected.

Rebuttal to Proponent’s Argument in Favor of Proposition F

No Rebuttal or Opponent’s Argument Against Proposition F Was Submitted

Arguments are the opinions of the authors and have not been checked for accuracy by any official agency. Arguments are published as submitted. Spelling and grammatical errors have not been corrected.

Paid Arguments in Favor of Proposition F

Paid Argument IN FAVOR of Proposition F

For over 60 years, Friends of the San Francisco Public Library has advocated for a premier public library, and championed free and equitable access to resources and opportunities for all people. We ask every San Franciscan voter to join us in supporting the library's crucial mission by voting YES on Proposition F. Prop F will renew the Library Preservation Fund, critical to keeping our libraries open as robust centers of 21st Century literacy, economic advancement, lifelong learning, and community life. This is an opportunity of a generation to ensure stable funding for our exceptional public library.

Our neighborhood libraries and the Main branch reach San Franciscans in every part of the city with millions of items in circulation, youth and adult education and enrichment programs, high-speed internet, and knowledgeable and dedicated librarians. Please vote yes to ensure these precious resources are here for decades to come.

Friends of the San Francisco Public Library

Marie Ciepiela, Executive Director

Sarah Smith, Board Chair

Cynthia So Schroeder

Alison Fong

Daphne Li

Jessica Lipnack

Kathleen Rydar

Diane Gibson

Matthew Kenaston

Gina Baleria

William Swinerton

Alissa Lee

Michael Warr

Kate Lazarus

Sarah Ives

The true source(s) of funds for the printing fee of this argument: Renew the Library Preservation Fund Yes on F.

The sole contributor to the true source recipient committee: Friends of SFPL.

Paid Argument IN FAVOR of Proposition F

With the security of the Library Preservation Fund, the San Francisco Public Library has become one of the greatest libraries in the country. It won the national Library of the Year award in 2018, and San Francisco residents give it the highest rating of any city department. Renewing the Library Preservation Fund means that San Franciscans can protect library funding from budget cuts that hurt the community, especially those who most need free resources. As former Commissioners and library leaders and advocates, we urge you to vote Yes on F.

Peter Booth Wiley

Marcia Schneider

James Haas

Karen Strauss

Lonnie Chin, Former Library Commissioner*

Charles Higueras, Former Library Commission*

Al Harris, Former Library Commissioner*

*For identification purposes only; author is signing as an individual and not on behalf of an organization.

The true source(s) of funds for the printing fee of this argument: Renew the Library Preservation Fund Yes on F.

The sole contributor to the true source recipient committee: Friends of SFPL.

Paid Argument IN FAVOR of Proposition F

We proudly serve as appointed members of the San Francisco Library Commission and urge you to renew the Library Preservation Fund. Known as the best public library system in the country, the SFPL provides all SF citizens—young and old — with free and equal access to information, knowledge, independent learning, lectures and discussions, and the joys of reading for our diverse community. The Library Preservation Fund allowed us to expand and support 27 neighborhood branches, keep libraries open seven days a week, and provide the city's largest free WIFI with over 1,000 free computer stations. It supports a staff of caring and knowledgeable librarians at every location, who expand literacy and learning support, and help residents find jobs and learn new skills. The renewal of the Library Preservation Fund — which will not raise any taxes — is essential to provide stable funding to ensure the diversity of needs and interests of our communities are fully met now and in the future. Vote YES on Prop F.

Connie Wolfe, President, Library Commission*

Pete Huang, Vice President, Library Commission*

Susan Mall, Library Commission*

Teresa Ono, Library Commission*

Jarrie Bolander, Library Commission*

Eurania Lopez, Library Commission*

*For identification purposes only; author is signing as an individual and not on behalf of an organization.

The true source(s) of funds for the printing fee of this argument: Renew the Library Preservation Fund Yes on F.

The sole contributor to the true source recipient committee: Friends of SFPL.

Paid Argument IN FAVOR of Proposition F

"At the moment that we persuade a child, any child, to cross that threshold, that magic threshold into a library, we change their lives forever, for the better. It's an enormous force for good."

-- Barack Obama

Our public libraries are essential to our families, seniors and all those who wish to empower themselves. San Francisco Public Library invests in our communities and helps people find jobs, open small businesses, and provide critical support for our children and adults seeking better opportunities.

Renewing the Library Preservation Fund guarantees the stability of this civic resource and allows for every one of our City's 27 neighborhood libraries to stay open 7 days a week, without raising taxes. Join us and vote Yes on Prop F to renew the Library Preservation Fund.

Supervisor Shamann Walton, Board President

District Attorney Brooke Jenkins

Honey Mahogany, Chair, DCCC*

Michael Warr, Author

Al Harris, Former Library Commissioner*

*For identification purposes only; author is signing as an individual and not on behalf of an organization.

The true source(s) of funds for the printing fee of this argument: Renew the Library Preservation Fund Yes on F.

The sole contributor to the true source recipient committee: Friends of SFPL.

Paid Argument IN FAVOR of Proposition F

San Francisco public libraries are critical institutions in our City that carry thousands of books, movies, and music in Spanish. The twenty-seven branches provide essential services like technology classes, music lessons, literacy classes, the Rincon Literario, a book club for Spanish speakers, career coaching, and bilingual story times for young children. These and dozens more opportunities help our Latino Community continue to thrive and grow, and we must continue these community-building activities.

Renewing the Library Preservation Fund with Prop F does not mean more taxes for San Franciscans. It places importance on learning and providing access to resources that benefit our diverse Latino communities.

Assessor-Recorder Joaquin Torres

District Attorney Brooke Jenkins

Supervisor Myrna Melgar

Former Supervisor John Avalos

San Francisco Latinx Democratic Club

Eurania Lopez, Library Commission*

Roberto Hernandez, CEO, Cultura y Arte Nativa de las Americas (CANA), Carnaval San Francisco*

*For identification purposes only; author is signing as an individual and not on behalf of an organization.

The true source(s) of funds for the printing fee of this argument: Renew the Library Preservation Fund Yes on F.

The sole contributor to the true source recipient committee: Friends of SFPL.

Paid Argument IN FAVOR of Proposition F

Children love libraries and they are essential to their education! The San Francisco Public Library prepares our children for academic success through its infant/toddler story times, tutoring, homework help, computers, WIFI access, and multimedia centers. Access to books in early childhood is the number one driver of literacy. We need libraries across the city with free books and resources, providing opportunities for our children who already face many challenges. Vote YES on Prop F for the future of our children.

Wu Yee Children's Services

Children's Council of San Francisco

Margaret Brodkin, former DCYF Director*

Mary Harris, children's advocate

*For identification purposes only; author is signing as an individual and not on behalf of an organization.

The true source(s) of funds for the printing fee of this argument: Renew the Library Preservation Fund Yes on F.

The sole contributor to the true source recipient committee: Friends of SFPL.

Paid Argument IN FAVOR of Proposition F

San Francisco public libraries hold an immense collection of literature in Asian languages throughout each branch.

Examples include: dedicated areas at the main and in Chinatown to Chinese literature and culture, books and other materials in Chinese, classes in Cantonese and Mandarin on navigating online resources and a book exchange with sister cities Shanghai and Taipei. The Western Addition branch, located in Japantown, has an extensive collection of Japanese books, music, and magazines, with staff speaking both English and Japanese. The Excelsior branch and the main include a collection of Filipino interest materials in both English and Filipino (Tagalog) and house the Filipino American Center.

The San Francisco Public Library provides important literacy and learning support for students, adults and non-English speakers through its Main Library and 27 branch libraries. The Library is the city's largest free WIFI network, provides 1,000 computer stations and helps residents find jobs and open small businesses. We need to renew the Library Preservation Fund to keep the resources available for all San Francisco residents who need it, without raising taxes. Please vote Yes on Prop F.

Assemblymember Phil Ting

Supervisor Gordon Mar

Alan Wong, Trustee, City College*

Li Lovette, Vice Chair, DCCC*

Han Zou, Member, DCCC*

Rodney Fong, Executive Director, Chamber of Commerce*

Jenny Lam, President, Board of Education*

Pete Huang, Vice President, Library Commission*

Teresa Ono, Library Commission*

Vikrum Alyer, Executive Board, SWANA Democratic Club*

Edwin M. Lee Asian Pacific Democratic Club

*For identification purposes only; author is signing as an individual and not on behalf of an organization.

The true source(s) of funds for the printing fee of this argument: Renew the Library Preservation Fund Yes on F.

The sole contributor to the true source recipient committee: Friends of SFPL.

Paid Argument IN FAVOR of Proposition F

The public library has always been an invaluable place for anyone needing a safe space to learn, grow, and meet others in the community. Easily accessing free information and stories about our Queer community, our past, our struggles, and our perseverance, continues to be essential to educate, inspire, and grow the next generation. The investment of the Library Preservation Fund has allowed the Library to maintain the first-ever Queer center in any public building in the country, the James C. Hormel LGBTQIA Center— with over 7,000 pieces of history, art, and literature about our community, along with a multitude of events and exhibitions that further connect us.

Please support the renewal of the Library Preservation Fund, which does not raise taxes, to continue expanding opportunities to hear our community voices, learn our community history, and tell our stories.

Senator Scott Wiener

Supervisor Matt Dorsey

Supervisor Rafael Mandelman

Honey Mahogany, Chair, DCCC*

Bevan Dufty, BART Board*

Connie Wolf, President, Library Commission*

Joseph Sweiss, Vice Chair, Human Rights Commission*

Alice B. Toklas LGBTQ Democratic Club

Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club

*For identification purposes only; author is signing as an individual and not on behalf of an organization.

The true source(s) of funds for the printing fee of this argument: Renew the Library Preservation Fund Yes on F.

The sole contributor to the true source recipient committee: Friends of SFPL.

Paid Argument IN FAVOR of Proposition F

Drag Queen Story Hour promotes diverse role models and possibility models. Its diverse, accessible, and culturally-inclusive family programming allows kids to express their authentic selves and become bright lights of change in their communities. It was created in San Francisco and is now a global phenomenon. We are able to provide this important program through our relationship with the San Francisco Public Library.

Please join us and support our public libraries by voting Yes on Prop F.

Yves St. Croissant

Per Sia

Khmera Rouge

Honey Mahogany

The true source(s) of funds for the printing fee of this argument: Renew the Library Preservation Fund Yes on F.

The sole contributor to the true source recipient committee: Friends of SFPL.

Paid Argument IN FAVOR of Proposition F

From our role in the State Capitol, we can easily see how our San Francisco Public Library is envied by other localities around the state who wish they could provide such vital education and literacy services, computer access, and employment resources. We need to protect these services for children, for economically vulnerable residents, and for everyone in the community who benefits. Proposition F will keep the Main Library and all 27 branch libraries in operation with no new taxes. Please vote Yes on Prop F to protect the invaluable investment San Franciscans have in their libraries.

Senator Scott Wiener

Assemblymember Matt Haney

Assemblymember Phil Ting

The true source(s) of funds for the printing fee of this argument: Renew the Library Preservation Fund Yes on F.

The sole contributor to the true source recipient committee: Friends of SFPL.

Paid Argument IN FAVOR of Proposition F

We represent the 27 San Francisco neighborhood libraries and urge you to vote Yes on Prop F to renew the San Francisco Library Preservation Fund. Prop F will guarantee that all branch libraries provide critical services throughout our City's many neighborhoods and the Main Library stay open seven days a week. These branch libraries are critical community hubs that serve seniors, families and economically disadvantaged residents. Vote Yes on Prop F to keep our neighborhood libraries open for all.

Council of Neighborhood Libraries

Nora Dowley, Glen Park Branch

Diane Glaser Silver, Park Branch

Marcia Popper, Presidio Branch

Marcia Parrott, Excelsior Branch

Marcia Ehrlich, Park Branch

The true source(s) of funds for the printing fee of this argument: Renew the Library Preservation Fund Yes on F.

The sole contributor to the true source recipient committee: Friends of SFPL.

Paid Argument IN FAVOR of Proposition F

The cornerstone of a strong business climate is a strong public infrastructure. The Library Preservation Fund has helped the San Francisco Public Library become one of the greatest libraries in the country The Main Library and neighborhood libraries are part of the fabric of our neighborhoods, support our business corridors, and provide vital education, literacy and employment resources.

Renewing the Library Preservation Fund is a good return on the investment. We can keep all 27 neighborhood libraries and the Main library open without raising taxes. We urge you to vote Yes on Prop F.

Chamber of Commerce

sf.citi

The true source(s) of funds for the printing fee of this argument: Renew the Library Preservation Fund Yes on F.

The sole contributor to the true source recipient committee: Friends of SFPL.

Paid Argument IN FAVOR of Proposition F

The San Francisco Public library provides essential services to families, seniors and economically vulnerable residents through the Main Library and 27 neighborhood branches. It also provides 895 jobs, including unionized librarians and library paraprofessionals. Staff are vital to providing services to millions of library visitors a year. Prior to the Library Preservation Fund, residents faced Library service cuts, branch closures, and reduced hours. We urge you to renew the Library Preservation Fund to keep our libraries open and protect good paying jobs, without raising taxes.

San Francisco Labor Council

The true source(s) of funds for the printing fee of this argument: Renew the Library Preservation Fund Yes on F.

The sole contributor to the true source recipient committee: Friends of SFPL.

End of Paid Arguments IN FAVOR of Proposition F

Arguments are the opinions of the authors and have not been checked for accuracy by any official agency. Arguments are published as submitted. Spelling and grammatical errors have not been corrected.

Paid Arguments Against Proposition F

No Paid Arguments AGAINST Proposition F Were Submitted

Arguments are the opinions of the authors and have not been checked for accuracy by any official agency. Arguments are published as submitted. Spelling and grammatical errors have not been corrected.

Legal Text

Describing and setting forth a proposal to the voters at an election to be held on November 8, 2022, to amend the Charter of the City and County of San Francisco to extend the Library Preservation Fund for an additional 25 years, through June 2048, to set aside funds to provide library services and materials and operate library facilities at the main library and branch libraries.

Section 1. The Board of Supervisors hereby submits to the qualified voters of the City and County, at an election to be held on November 8, 2022, a proposal to amend the Charter of the City and County by revising Section 16.109, to read as follows:

NOTE: Unchanged Charter text and uncodified text are in plain font.

Additions are single-underline italics Times New Roman font.

Deletions are strike-through italics Times New Roman font.

Asterisks (* * * *) indicate the omission of unchanged Charter subsections.

SEC. 16.109. LIBRARY PRESERVATION FUND.

(a) Establishment of Fund. There is hereby established the Library Preservation Fund (“the Fund”) to be administered by the Library Department as directed by the Library Commission. Monies therein shall be expended or used solely by the Library Department, subject to the budgetary and fiscal provisions of the Charter, to provide library services, acquire books and other materials and equipment, and to construct, improve, rehabilitate, maintain, and operate library facilities.

(b) Annual Set-Aside. The City will continue to set aside from the annual property tax levy, for a period of fifteen 25 years starting with the fiscal year 2008-2009 2023-2024 an amount equivalent to an annual tax of two and one-half cents ($0.025) for each one hundred dollars ($100) assessed valuation (“Annual Set-Aside”).

The Controller shall set aside and maintain such an amount, together with any interest earned thereon, in the Fund., Revenues obtained from the Annual Set-Aside shall be in addition to, and not in place of, any General Fund monies appropriated to the Library pursuant to subsection (c).

(c) Baseline Maintenance of Effort. The Annual Set-Aside shall be used exclusively to increase the aggregate City appropriations and expenditures for services, materials, facilities, and equipment that will be operated by the Library Department for Library purposes. To this end, in any of the fifteen 25 years during which funds are required to be set aside under this Section 16.109, the City shall not reduce the Baseline for the Library Department below the fiscal year 2006-2007 2022-2023 Required Baseline Amount (as calculated by the Controller), except that the Baseline shall be adjusted as provided below.

The Baseline shall be adjusted for each year after fiscal year 2006-2007 2022-2023 by the Controller based on calculations consistent from year to year, by the percentage increase or decrease in aggregate City and County discretionary revenues, except as provided in subsection (h). In determining aggregate City and County discretionary revenues, the Controller shall only include revenues received by the City which are unrestricted and may be used at the option of the Mayor and the Board of Supervisors for any lawful City purpose. Additionally, in determining aggregate City and County discretionary revenues, the Controller shall not include revenues received by the City under the increased rates in Business and Tax Regulations Code Sections 953.1(g), 953.2(h), 953.3(h), 953.4(e), 953.5(d), 953.6(f), 953.7(d), and 953.8(i) adopted by the voters at the general municipal election on November 3, 2020, and shall not include revenues received by the City under Article 36 of the Business and Tax Regulations Code adopted by the voters at the general municipal election on November 3, 2020. Errors in the Controller’s estimate of discretionary revenues for a fiscal year shall be corrected by adjustment in the next year’s estimate. For purposes of this subsection (c), (i) aggregate City appropriations shall not include funds granted to the City by private agencies or appropriated by other public agencies and received by the City, and (ii) Library Department appropriations shall not include funds appropriated to the Library Department to pay for services of other City departments or agencies, except for departments or agencies for whose specific services the Library Department was appropriated funds in fiscal year 2006-20072022-2023. Within 180 days following the end of each fiscal year through fiscal year 2023-2024 2047-2048, the Controller shall calculate and publish the actual amount of City appropriations for the Library Department.

The Controller shall set aside and maintain such baseline amounts, together with any interest earned thereon, in the Fund.

At the end of each fiscal year, the Controller shall pro-rate any monies from the annual Baseline and the Annual Set-Aside that remain uncommitted in the Fund, and the Baseline portion of such amount shall be returned to the General Fund. The Annual Set-Aside portion of such amount shall be carried forward to the next fiscal year and shall be appropriated then or thereafter for the purposes specified in this Section.

Adjustments in the Controller’s estimate of the Baseline, including any bBaseline changes required from increases or decreases to City revenues after the enactment of the annual budget under Article IX adoption, along with adjustments to the Annual Set-Aside for a fiscal year, shall be corrected by credits or adjustment to be carried forward and added to the annual City appropriation for the next fiscal year and, subject to the budgetary and fiscal limitations of thisthe Charter, shall be appropriated then or thereafter for the purposes specified in this Section.

(d) Debt Authority. Notwithstanding the limitations set forth in Sections 9.107, 9.108, and 9.109 of this Charter, the Library Commission may request, and upon recommendation of the Mayor the Board of Supervisors may authorize, the issuance of revenue bonds or other evidences of indebtedness or the incurrence of lease financing or other obligations (the “Debt Obligations”), the proceeds of which are to be used for the acquisition, construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, and/or improvement of real property and/or facilities that will be operated by the Library Department for Library purposes and for the purchase of equipment relating to such real property and/or facilities. Such Debt Obligations shall be secured by and/or repaid from any available funds pledged or appropriated by the Board of Supervisors for such purpose, which amount may include funds in the Fund allocated under subsection (e)(3) of this Section 16.109below. Funds appropriated to pay debt service on the Debt Obligations in such fiscal year under the terms of this Section 16.109 shall be set aside in an account for such use until such payment is made.

(e) Spending Priorities. The Annual Set-Aside and monies carried over from prior fiscal years in the Fund shall be expended in accordance with the following priorities:

(1.) Such allocations as are necessary for the Library Department to operate the Main Library, which includes a library for the blind the Talking Books and Braille Center, no fewer than 27 neighborhood branch libraries, and an auxiliary technical services facility, with 1211 at least 1,400 permanent service hours per week system-wide and the permanent service hours at each neighborhood branch library as at least 95% of the amount set by the Library Commission as of November 6, 2007 May 31, 2018,. The permanent service hours per week system-wide and the permanent service hours at any neighborhood branch library which may be modified, but only as provided by subsection (f).

(2.) Such allocations as are necessary to provide for library services and collections in all formats in order to meet the current and changing needs of San Francisco communities, as the Library Commission in its sole discretion shall approve.

(3.) Notwithstanding the spending priorities set forth in this subsection (e), a portion of the Annual Set-Aside may be used each fiscal year to pay debt service relating to Debt Obligations issued or incurred by the City under subsection (d) above. To ensure that debt service payments do not reduce overall funding available for other Library priorities from current levels, debt service may be payable from the Annual Set-Aside in any fiscal year in an amount no greater than:

(A.) the annual debt service that would be payable under a financing with the term and principal amount reflected in a Library Commission request for bond issuance under subsection (d) above; and

(B.) the aggregate growth of the Annual Set-Aside amount and the Baseline amount over the base fiscal year 2006-072022-2023.

Amounts on deposit in the Annual Set-Aside in excess of such annual debt service shall be used according to the other priorities of this subsection.

(4.) To the extent there are unexpended funds remaining in the Fund after the requirements of paragraphs subsections (e)(1) through (e)(3) have been satisfied, such funds may be used for any lawful purpose of the Library Department; provided that no such funds shall be used for debt service payments in any fiscal year in excess of the amount allowed under clause subsection (e)(3) above.

(f) Library Service Hours. Except as provided below in paragraphs subsections (f)(3) and (f)(4), the Library Commission shall maintain at least 1211the permanent service hours per week system-wide and the permanent hours at any each neighborhood branch Library as required by subsection (e)(1) until July 1, 20132028. As of On or after that date, the Library Commission may modify permanent service hours per week system-wide and at specific neighborhood branch libraries for succeeding five-year intervals, or at shorter intervals as the Commission may adopt, and in accordance with the following procedures:

(1.) No later than March 1, 20132028, and at least four months before adopting for each service hour interval thereafter, the Library Commission shall establish a community input process, which may include an informal survey of library users and meetings with the Library Citizens Advisory Committee, Council of Neighborhood Libraries or any successor entity, and neighborhood groups, through which citizens of the City and County of San Francisco may provide assistance to the Library Commission as it develops criteria to set system-wide and branch service hours for the upcoming interval. Prior to the Library Commission setting service hours for the next interval, the Library Department shall conduct at least one hearing in each supervisorial district to receive and consider the public’s comments about existing and potential Library service hours. The Library Commission shall ensure that aAt least six of these hearings, distributed geographically throughout the City, are shall be held in the evenings or on weekends for the public’s convenience.

(2.) Following input of the public as described the hearings in Paragraph subsection (f)(1), and based on the public input, a comprehensive assessment of needs, and the anticipated adequacy of library resources, the Library Commission may, as of on or after July 1, 20132028, modify the system-wide and individual neighborhood branch service hours for the next five-year interval or such shorter interval as the Library Commission may adopt. The Library Commission shall repeat this public process and set service hours at least once every five years for the duration of the Fund.

(3.) The service hours requirements set in subsection (e)(1) and any modifications thereto made pursuant to this subsection (f) shall be temporarily reduced by the normal operating hours for any neighborhood branch temporarily closed for construction, renovation, or maintenance purposes. In such cases, the Library Department shall add temporary services elsewhere by adding temporary hours at nearby branches, providing bookmobile services, securing programming partners in the affected neighborhoods, or similar means.

(4.) If library services at any branch or system-wide are interrupted due to fire, earthquake, or other emergency, the Library Department shall be relieved of these service hour requirements, provided that the Library Department shall provide service hours consistent with such exigent circumstances.

(g) Unspent Funds. All unspent funds in the Fund on November 6, 2007 8, 2022 shall continue to be held for the use and benefit of the Library Department, and the funds therein shall be used consistent with the requirements of this Section 16.109. These monies shall be expended to construct, maintain and operate library facilities as provided herein.

(h) Temporary Freezes to Baseline. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Section 16.109, the City may freeze the Baseline for any fiscal year after fiscal year 2022-2023 at the prior year amounts when the City’s projected budget deficit for the upcoming fiscal year at the time of the March Joint Report or March Update to the Five Year Financial Plan as prepared jointly by the Controller, the Mayor’s Budget Director, and the Board of Supervisors’ Budget Analyst exceeds $300 million, adjusted annually beginning with fiscal year 2022-2023 by the percentage increase or decrease in aggregate City discretionary revenues, as determined by the Controller, based on calculations consistent from year to year. In determining aggregate City discretionary revenues, the Controller shall include only revenues received by the City that are unrestricted and may be used at the option of the Mayor and the Board of Supervisors for any lawful City purpose.

In the first two fiscal years following such a freeze, the Controller shall adjust the Baseline under subsection (c) such that the amount of the Baseline in the second fiscal year following the freeze shall be the same as it would have been if there had been no freeze under this subsection (h). Based on projections of anticipated revenue, the Controller shall implement this adjustment to the Baseline in approximately equal amounts in each of the two fiscal years.

(i) Expiration. This Section 16.109 shall expire by operation of law on December 31, 2048, after which the City Attorney may cause it to be removed from the Charter unless the Section is extended by the voters.