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San Francisco Chronicle
4 days ago
- Business
- San Francisco Chronicle
Bay Area library visits have sharply declined. But not in this tranquil suburb
Across the Bay Area, libraries saw just about two-thirds as many visits per capita last year as they did seven years ago, a Chronicle analysis of state library data found. Most libraries in the nine Bay Area counties have yet to see visits climb back to pre-pandemic levels. Large public library systems like San Francisco, San Jose and Oakland are all still seeing about 30% fewer visits per capita than they used to. A handful of systems, though, have not only recovered — they've grown. The data comes from the California State Library, which surveys each public library system each year. To calculate visits per capita, the number of visits at a library in a given fiscal year is divided by the population of that system's service area. Declining visitation is virtually a universal problem. Almost no local public library system saw growth between the 2018-2019 and 2023-2024 fiscal years, the Chronicle found. The numbers are in keeping with national trends, according to a report by the Urban Libraries Council, an advocacy group. But those numbers aren't so bad when viewed in the context of other amenities post-pandemic. 'When you compare what's happening with libraries to what's going on in commercial (office) space, libraries are doing pretty well,' said Brooks Rainwater, the president of the Urban Libraries Council. And though they're still not at pre-pandemic levels, visits per capita in the Bay Area and nationally have been slowly ticking up since their shutdown-induced low points, said Rainwater. He compared the slow but steady recovery of libraries to shifts in all parts of city life, like transit ridership, office visits, tourism and retail shopping, all of which still have yet to reach what they were before COVID. And he expects the recovery will continue. Early data being collected for the council's 2025 report indicates that in-person library visits are up to about 75% of pre-pandemic levels. Part of the picture — and a reason for hope — is the shifting role of what a library is within a community, a change that was happening even before the pandemic, Rainwater said. While an increasing number of people are borrowing ebooks instead of physically checking out books, libraries are also increasingly used as a 'third space' for people to gather, to work or to just hang out, he said. 'Literacy and books are always going to be our stock and trade,' he said, 'but libraries are reflective of community needs.' That's a philosophy Anji Brenner, the city librarian at the Mill Valley Public Library, believes in wholeheartedly. The library, nestled among redwood trees and boasting floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the forest, a deck overlooking the nearby creek and even a wood-burning fireplace, is one of the few in the Bay Area to have fully recovered its visit numbers — an especially impressive feat given that its per capita visit rate was already one of the highest in the Bay Area. 'What's not to love about this place?' Brenner said. Brenner said the recovery didn't happen automatically: Staff worked hard to adapt programming during and after the pandemic. That has meant, for example, everything from author talks to nature walks, and experimenting with the times those programs are offered: Weekends have proven very popular. The library also hired a more diverse staff, which Brenner said helped it to engage with more members of the community. Likewise, Brenner also said that the demographics of visitors have shifted. Twenty- and thirty-somethings come to the library regularly now, a relatively new phenomenon, and teens, who were always reliable patrons, spend even more time there. It also helps that Mill Valley is rich. Brenner noted that both the Mill Valley Library Foundation and Friends of the Mill Valley Library fundraise for the public library. In general, library visits were higher in wealthier places like Marin County. Still, none of that matters if a library system isn't attuned to the community. 'You have to be grounded in who you're serving and why you're here,' she said. 'We want to bring joy to people's lives.'
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Stricken police officer asking for prayers, assistance
ARAB, Ala. (WHNT) — Thoughts and prayers for recovery are needed for the family of an Arab police officer who is suffering from serious medical issues. Corporal Robbie Rainwater has served the people of Arab for more than two decades as both an Emergency Medical Technician and a police officer. Saving lives, his wife Miranda and his co-workers say, is what he was born to do. City of Albertville breaks ground on Sand Mountain Marketplace 'He's got a passion for it, and it's what keeps him going every day is knowing that he's out there helping people,' said Miranda Rainwater. 'He's just an amazing guy that really puts other people before himself, and he's always been just so willing to help everyone,' said Arab police chief Shane Washburn. But Officer Rainwater is now fighting just to get back on his feet. On Easter Sunday, Rainwater took himself to the emergency room, where he was diagnosed with double pneumonia, and medical troubles did not stop there. 📲 to stay updated on the go. 📧 to have news sent to your inbox. Soon after, Rainwater suffered a heart attack. Two weeks after his release, he suffered another heart attack. Officer Rainwater is currently at Huntsville Hospital fighting to recover. His wife, children and the Arab community are left wondering if he'll ever be able to return to serving others. 'That was his release, almost like his therapy, being able to go and do that,' Miranda Rainwater explained. With medical and household bills mounting, Miranda Rainwater has been unable to work while caring for her husband. The Alabama Police Benevolent Association has stepped in to assist with expenses. Chief Washburn told News 19 that helping a fellow officer who would never hesitate to help others is what Officer Rainwater would want done. 'We all feel like family together, and when this happened to him, we all came together,' said Washburn. 'We're just trying to do anything that we can to help him in this time of need.' You can donate to the family of Officer Rainwater by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
American Press
09-05-2025
- Sport
- American Press
DeQuincy blanks Vinton in quarterfinals
Carson Rainwater pitched a three-hit shutout Thursday as the No. 3 DeQuincy Tiger run-ruled No. 6 Vinton 10-0 in five innings in the Non-select Division IV quarterfinals at DeQuincy High School. (Rodrick Anderson / American Press) DeQUINCY – The last time senior Carson Rainwater faced rival Vinton, he took a loss. Given a chance at redemption, he wanted the ball in his hands again. Rainwater pitched his second shutout of the postseason to knock out the Lions 10-0 in five innings and send the Tigers to the semifinals for the third consecutive season. Rainwater held the No. 6 Lions to three hits while striking out five batters and walking two. 'Rainwater is great,' DeQuincy head coach Brady Carlson said. 'He is the leader. 'And the last time he faced Vinton, he took the loss. He said please pitch me, please pitch me, because Turner (Rodriguez) got the win last time. I was like, all right, you're the senior. You got it, and he did it.' In two postseason games, Rainwater has pitched 12 scoreless innings with 16 strikeouts and three walks. The No. 3 Tigers (24-11) will face No. 2 Welsh on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. in the Louisiana High School Athletic Association Non-select Division IV semifinals at McMurry in Sulphur. DeQuincy lost to Oak Grove in the semifinals in 2024 and the finals in 2023. 'Hopefully, we can keep advancing,' Carlson said. 'It's going to be exciting. They've got a great program, too.' The Tigers scored five runs in the first two innings to cement their grip on the momentum in the rivalry game. Andrew Dowden hit an RBI single in the first inning, and Rodriguez drove in a pair of runs in the second inning. Vinton errors contributed to the other two runs. 'We've been hitting the ball really well all year,' Carlson said. 'They do a great job over there (Vinton). 'It's a big rivalry, so we were really excited about playing. A little bit nervous because that pitcher (Gage Guidry) they have is so good, but our guys really come out swinging, and they do a great job.' DeQuincy added four more runs in the fourth inning, highlighted by Nolan Schrader's two-run double. Playing in its first quarterfinal game since 2001, Vinton (17-12) loaded the bases in the fourth inning on a walk and hits by Gage Guidry and Kortlin Kyle. But the Tigers got the second out on a force at third, and Rainwater closed the inning on a strikeout.
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
South Carolina House working on revised tax bill after backlash
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WSPA) – The South Carolina House is revising a bill that would raise income taxes for nearly 60% of earners, and lawmakers are going back to the drawing board. State leaders introduced a new bill in March that would set a flat tax rate of 3.99% for all earners, and there was backlash. Representatives are now coming up with a new plan. 'I've heard loud and clear from members of the of the house, members of this committee, that there are some things in the bill they would like to adjust, or they don't like, or they would like to hear other options, ' said Representative Bruce Bannister, Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee (R – Greenville). Bannister held a meeting with experts who presented three new plans, all of which still raise taxes for at least 25% of taxpayers. Plan number one would have the same 3.99% flat tax rate. 58.7% of South Carolinians, who file their taxes, would have an increase in how much they need to pay in 2026. Plan number two has a 4.74% flat tax and only 38.6% of people would see the increase in 2026. Plan number three would have a top rate of 5.49% and a bottom rate 1.99%. 28% of South Carolina earners would see the increase. Frank Rainwater is the Executive Director of South Carolina Revenue and Fiscal Affairs, and he was an expert chosen to explain the alternatives. He said the original bill, which was the flat rate of 3.99%, would have a $216 million revenue loss. 'Basically, you got the same challenge here. I don't think you can lower the rate enough under a flat tax,' Rainwater said. 'Not for someone to have an increased liability or you're going to have significant impact on the budget.' Bannister said a final solution is still unclear, but expert input is helping. He asked for opinions from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. 'Not where we hurt one group to favor another, but where it's good for everybody, and we're going to keep working on that. So, with that, we're not, we're not done by any means. We've got a lot more work to do,' Bannister said. Representative Gilda Cobb-Hunter (D – Orangeburg) said she supports tax relief, but the plans must benefit most South Carolinians. 'Myself included, would benefit from this, but for me, it's not about whether I'm going to benefit or not,' Cobb-Hunter said. 'It's about the majority of the wage earners, taxpayers, not just in my district but in the state.' According to Rainwater, currently at least 44% of South Carolinians don't pay income must act fast if they want to lower South Carolina's tax rate, with just six session days left in the first year of a two-year legislative session. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Reaction to Executive Order on voting overhaul
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW)—President Donald Trump's executive order on Wednesday makes changes to voting and how votes are counted. It requires proof of citizenship to register to vote in federal elections and does away with a grace period for mail-in ballots. Voting leaders in the State of Kansas say there is a lot to unpack and study before any changes would or could be made in the Sunflower state. 'We just don't know yet,' said Sedgwick County election commissioner Laura Rainwater. 'And nothing has changed here until we get our direction from the Secretary of State's office.' After being asked about possible changes, the Kansas Secretary of State's office sent a statement to KSN. The Kansas Secretary of State statement says the executive order mirrors much of what Kansas already does. 'The president's EO makes points that states should have been doing for years,' said the statement. 'Kansas was a leading state in enacting proof of citizenship. While the courts have enjoined the state from enforcing this law, the intent of the EO makes clear that every voter must provide documentary evidence of citizenship. Kansas has also strengthened voter roll maintenance efforts in the past few years, and we appreciate the EO's requirement that federal agencies assist with these efforts. Meanwhile, some voter groups wonder if the Presidential executive order will disenfranchise some voters. 'My hope is that we can mobilize and inform people to actually get them to the polls,' said Nancy Brown, co-president of the League of Women Voters of the Wichita Metro. ' To help them understand that mail-in balloting is not necessarily going to work for them at this point.' Brown says the three-day grace period for mail-in ballots is a big deal. If your mail-in ballot is late, even with a valid postmark identifying it as meeting the deadline, it will not be counted. 'It also disadvantages the woman with three small children who doesn't have childcare and ends up having to take them to the voting, to the polling place,' said Brown. 'It will disadvantage people who are, perhaps, rural and their mailing address may be fixed to a particular town, but they may be 25 miles outside of town. Sometimes the mail just can be very slow.' Brown says there may not be much change in Kansas because the federal executive order mirrors much of what has already been done there. 'We already have a stringent identification process for both registration and for being able to vote,' said Brown. 'This needs to be studied more.' Rainwater says she is also is studying legislation currently in Topeka on the state level. 'One of the big bills that we really have been closely watching is a bill that would affect special elections,' said Rainwater. 'As you know, we have four special elections from February 25th through May 18, and that's a lot of special elections in one time frame. Of course, I tried to get all of them on one, single date, but jurisdictions just couldn't make it happen. So it would be a much better use of taxpayer money, it would be less confusing for voters, it would be easier to recruit polling places because those polling places aren't always available, and it would just for the efficiency of operations if all special elections in the spring were held on one date.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
