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FW: Written Comment for Agenda Item 3.9
From City Clerk <[email protected]>
Date Tue 6/10/2025 7:46 AM
To Agendadesk <[email protected]>
From: Hilary Thorsen
Sent: Tuesday, June 10, 2025 6:40 AM
To: City Clerk <[email protected]>
Subject: Written Comment for Agenda Item 3.9
[External Email. Do not open links or attachments from untrusted sources. Learn morel You don't often get email from Learn why this is important Hello,
I would like to submit this written comment for today's meeting--Agenda Item 3.9.
My name is Hilary Thorsen. I am a former Library and Education commissioner for District 6 and am writing to urge you to adopt M.B.A. 14. The library has seen a 20% increase in usage since late fees were temporarily eliminated last year for all library users. This would make that permanent. Library usage is tied to literacy rates. There is a well-established link between low literacy, high school dropout rates and criminal behavior, so increased library usage means higher literacy rates and increased public safety. The revenue generated by the fines would be replaced by adding an Resources Collections Access Fee for people who live outside Santa Clara County.
I would also urge you to adopt Budget Document #45, which would restore funding for the Family, Friend, and Neighbor Caregivers Support Network, which gives informal caregivers resources and training to provide safer and more educational environments which means children enter school ready to learn. My husband died last year and as a solo full time working mother it is nearly impossible to live in San Jose and afford childcare. We need more of these programs, not less.
This is an essential program and if the City truly valued families and children, it would be finding ways to make it easier for them to live here.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Hilary
Hilary Thorsen
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