The Friends of the Key West Library do not ordinarily take positions on statewide ballot initiatives. Our mission is to support, improve, and promote our library through fundraising, volunteering, public engagement, and advocacy.

It is in that advocacy role that we write to you today about Amendment 3, which will appear on Florida’s November 3 ballot.

What Is Amendment 3?

Amendment 3 proposes significant changes to Florida’s property tax structure, including changes to homestead exemptions, property assessment limits, and restrictions on how counties and municipalities may spend certain property tax revenues. You can find a fuller explanation of the proposal here.

How Would Amendment 3 Affect Monroe County Libraries?

Public libraries throughout Florida are funded in different ways, so the impact of Amendment 3 would vary considerably from county to county.

In a contributed article in Keys Weekly, Monroe County Property Appraiser Scott Russell explained that Monroe is one of only two Florida counties where projected assessed property values would not decline under Amendment 3.

That may sound reassuring. If Monroe County is expected to fare better than most, why should we be concerned?

We believe there are several compelling reasons.

Why Do the Friends of the Key West Library Urge You to Vote No?

The Friends urge you to vote NO on Amendment 3.

We have joined Keep Libraries Funded, a statewide coalition of library foundations, Friends groups, and library supporters working to help voters understand the potential consequences of Amendment 3 for Florida’s public libraries.

Our concerns are both statewide and local:

• We stand with libraries throughout Florida. While Monroe County may be relatively unscathed, other library systems face the prospect of severe funding reductions if Amendment 3 passes. Our votes here in Monroe County will help determine the future of public libraries across the state.
• Monroe County is not immune to financial pressures. In his article, Property Appraiser Russell writes that should Amendment 3 pass, county revenues may not keep pace with ordinary increases in costs in future years. He also notes that, under separate legislation, county staff must undertake a 10% budget reduction exercise for fiscal year 2028. The same mandatory process in fiscal year 2026 led to a countywide loss of several library positions.
• Favorable projections are not guarantees. Russell’s analysis assumes continued strength in property values and a stable economy. Here at the southernmost point of the country, we know how quickly economic conditions can change. We should be cautious about making permanent changes based on projections that may not hold.
• Private fundraising cannot replace public funding. The Friends work hard to raise money for our Key West library, but our contributions are intended to enhance library services, not replace the County’s financial responsibility. We do not pay library salaries. We do not maintain the building or our beautiful Palm Garden. We depend on Monroe County to provide the essential funding that keeps our library operating.

Taken together, these concerns lead us to believe that Amendment 3 poses risks to public libraries that are simply too great to ignore. And once these changes are made, reversing them may prove extraordinarily difficult.

Our Key West Library Is Thriving

Sometimes, living in Key West, we may not fully appreciate how fortunate we are to have such an extraordinary public library.

In 2025, the Key West branch recorded nearly 95,000 circulations among more than 15,000 borrowers. More than 7,500 adults and almost 3,000 children participated in library programs and activities.

These are impressive numbers for a small island community. But they tell only part of the story.

Key West has a remarkable devotion to literature, history, and the arts. Our beloved little pink library is the beating heart of that tradition. It is a place of discovery, learning, imagination, and connection, open to everyone in our community.

It is an institution worth protecting.

We Are Grateful for Your Support

As always, we are deeply grateful for everything you do for the Friends and for our library.

We don’t know what first brought you to us. Perhaps it was a book, a library, or a librarian who helped shape your life. Perhaps it is your belief that everyone in Key West deserves equal access to print and electronic books, information, technology, and the opportunities they provide.

Whatever your reasons, we appreciate your commitment.

We also recognize that we live in a time when almost any public issue can become politically divisive. We do not take lightly our decision to speak out on a ballot initiative, and we respect the fact that our members may hold different views.

But we believe that advocating for the continued strength of public libraries is central to our mission, and that this issue deserves your careful consideration.

If you have questions or concerns, please reply to this email or contact us through our website. We welcome the conversation.

Looking Forward to a Wonderful Season

We have an extraordinary lineup of events planned for our 2026–2027 season, including book sales, our speaker series, a murder mystery tea, our annual fundraising gala, and a special cocktail party for major benefactors featuring a distinguished guest.

Watch for our November 1 newsletter for more information!

Thank you for considering our position on Amendment 3. Whatever you decide, we are grateful for your support, and we look forward to seeing you at our events throughout the season.

With appreciation,

Barbara Ross, President

Friends of the Key West Library