Residents in Selma and Kingsburg, and throughout the county, vote on whether to increase sales tax to expand library services Nov. 4. And even in these tough economic times, many local people seem to be in approval of an increase in a library sales tax which would pay for infrastructure improvements, extra materials and new programs at libraries around the county. "It's great to improve any kind of library system," said Deirdre Bolm, Kingsburg resident.

On Nov. 4, Fresno County voters like Bolm will have the option to adopt or disapprove of this increase in the library sales tax, known as Measure L.

If approved, the measure would institute a quarter-cent tax on each dollar spent by county residents. So for every $100 purchase, residents would be taxed 25 cents.

This proposal would amend Measure B, an eighth-of-a-cent county library tax voters first approved in 1998 and then amended in 2004. Measure B is set to expire in 2013.

If passed, Measure L would last for 16 years and would be on the books starting in 2009.

The amended tax would go toward improvements in infrastructure, materials and library programs at 32 county branch sites, including Selma and Kingsburg.

"Each library would benefit in some way from this measure, either facility improvements or service improvements," said Pat Pondexter, associate county librarian.

The measure will also be used to build or expand 16 new library branches within the county.

In Selma, there would be a host of slated physical improvements including increased materials like books, improved disability access, wireless Internet, laptop computers for public use, emergency lighting, as well as security cameras to protect the exterior building and grounds from crimes like vandalism.

The construction of a new, 22,000 square foot regional library would also be part of the expenditure plan.

However, Penny Hill, branch librarian in Selma, said a new facility wouldn't be built immediately but sometime in the future.

Nonetheless, the tax increase would also go to fund programs at the Selma library including homework services for students, a program for parents to help their children stay in school and out of gangs, as well as a program that helps people find employment.

In Kingsburg, physical improvements to its branch include plans for wireless Internet, laptops for public use and increased space for teens and families. Similar to Selma, there are also plans for after-school homework services for students, as well as a handful of programs that assist people with finding employment and helping children stay in school and out of gangs.

Overall, Pondexter said Measure L is needed for the county because there's been an increase in the services that all branches provide.

"We've checked out over 3 million items," she said. "We have more and more demand for computer use in our libraries and a growing demand for meeting spaces, spaces for children and teens...all of those services."

Locally, statistics from both Selma and Kingsburg also indicate there has been an increase in the circulation of materials at both libraries.

From the time periods of 2006-2007 to 2007-2008, circulation in Selma jumped up 17 percent while circulation in Kingsburg went up seven percent.

And because of the increased service countywide, Pondexter said local branches are feeling a crunch for space.

"We just don't have space in our current facilities to have those services expected of us in our community," she said.

Residents in Selma, Kingsburg and the surrounding area seem to agree that improving services at local libraries is needed and say they'll likely support the upcoming ballot measure.

One such citizen includes Daniel Galvan, a resident from Parlier who recently visited the Selma library.

"It is a good idea," he said about the aims of the measure.

And even though Galvan said he hasn't been visiting the library in Parlier or Selma as much as he'd like, since he's enlisted in the U.S. Navy, he said it's important to keep libraries stocked with up-to-date materials like books.

Galvan also said he likes the idea that the measure would go toward funding for more computers, since there are many people in the area who might not have computers or immediate access to the Internet.

Others, like Kingsburg area farmer Karl Hagopian, said he's already seen the success of the previous library tax at the Kingsburg branch library through what he sees as an increase in the number of books available for checkout.

Because of this, the once-a-week library patron plans to vote for Measure L.

"Hopefully, it'll pass," Hagopian said.

Over in Selma, resident Lilia Vasquez said she'd lend her support to the library tax, since Vasquez and her two daughters use the library in Selma at least once a week.

Vasquez also said she supports the aims of the measure, including structural improvements to expand and enhance the look of the library.

She also believes the library is a good environment for children of all ages.

"If they make it bigger, I think a lot more kids would come here," she said.

Whatever the outcome, at least one local group -- the San Joaquin Valley Taxpayers Association -- opposes the measure.

Spokesman Doug Vagim said that the group always supports the continued funding of libraries in the county. However, with a faltering economy and the continued rising costs of goods, Vagim said right now isn't the time to increase this tax on citizens.

"This is just the wrong time," he said.

Vagim noted there are four sources of funding the county library system currently gets that should help it for the next four years, which is when Measure B is set to expire.

These funds include current Measure B tax funds, property tax payments, grants from the state, as well as a new county assessment surcharge on new homes built in Fresno County. Vagim said part of that assessment will go toward the library system.

Because of this, Vagim said the Taxpayer Association opposes levying an increased tax on voters at this point in time.

"We're just saying, 'why now?' it's just the wrong time," he said.

Nonetheless, in the personal opinion of citizens like Hill, the Selma branch librarian, passing Measure L would continue to serve citizens in areas like literacy and education.

"I think libraries are so good for people, they help people in many ways, and this would continue to help them in many more ways," she said.