The Legislature finds and declares the following:

(a) Reading and literacy skills are fundamental to success in our economy and our society.

(b) The Legislature and Governor have made enormous strides in improving the quality of reading instruction in public schools.

(c) Public libraries are an important resource to further California’s reading and literacy goals both in conjunction with the public schools and for the adult population.

(d) The construction and renovation of public library facilities is necessary to expand access to reading and literacy programs in California’s public education system and to expand access to public library services for all residents of California.

(Added by Stats. 1999, Ch. 726, Sec. 1. Approved in Proposition 14 at the March 7, 2000, election.)