OAKLAND -- A ballot measure that would raise the library parcel tax from about $36 per residential property to $75 and extend it another 15 years could go to the voters in March if the City Council gives approval in the next three weeks. The council will consider the proposal to extend Measure O, the Library Services Retention and Enhancement Act of 1994, for the first time on Tuesday. But a final decision on the funding amount likely will be made at the council's Dec. 2 meeting. In addition, Vice Mayor Nancy Nadel will put in a request today that the council also consider a March ballot measure for more police and violence prevention programs. Nadel has been leading a task force for several months that has been crafting the measure, although the dollar amount won't be determined until polling is done next week. A telephone poll several weeks ago showed general support for a library parcel tax, but a limit on what people were willing to spend -- with options ranging from $56 to $84. The measure's two backers, Councilmembers Jean Quan (Montclair-Laurel) and Jane Brunner (North Oakland) have differing views on how much the tax should be. "I don't think it's worth it for the safer amount," said Quan, referring to the minimum proposal for a $56 tax. "I don't think when they originally wrote Measure O they realized how much the technological revolutions would change libraries." Brunner said she is concerned $75 may be too much for homeowners to support, even if support for libraries is high. "We have to be careful. Oakland voters have been very generous, and we don't want to ask for too much," Brunner said. Library funding was cut when the city had to shave about $50 million off its budget for 2003-2005. A community effort staved off branch closures, but the libraries reduced hours, lost 22 positions and cut the materials budget by 30 percent, according to library Chief Financial Officer Gene Tom. Measure O is not due to expire until 2009. But because salaries have in- creased, revenues from the tax won't be enough to cover everything it was meant to fund after 2005, Tom said. During the next two years the tax will bring in $10.6 million, but $12.2 million in services will be needed, he said. "After 2004-2005, if this ballot measure is not passed, we will be in deficit about $1 million per year," Tom said. Measure O accounts for about 32 percent of the library's budget and is earmarked for keeping the Main Library open seven days and branches open five days, increasing the materials budget, funding children's librarians in every branch, expanding literacy, cultural and educational programs, and operating the African American Museum and Library. A tax increase to $56 would maintain those services, while $75 per parcel would allow for technology upgrades, more after-school and teen programs, restoration of positions that were cut, expanded collections, extension of branch hours, and operation of a new East Oakland library in conjunction with with the school district. The funding breakdown for those programs have not been hashed out, but must be determined before the council makes a decision on it. The measure would require the city to maintain the baseline library budget at least at its 2001-2002 level of $9 million. The 2003-2004 budget is about $17 million. The earlier amount was decided on in case the city hits even tougher budget times, but it could mean the libraries find themselves in the same position they are now -- without enough money from the tax to maintain current services -- 10 years from now, Tom said. Oakland Library Director Carmen Martinez said the goal of the measure is to "stabilize Measure O-funded programs and upgrade technology and collections." Library officials had been considering asking voters to fund a construction bond to upgrade infrastructure and possibly rebuild or replace the Main Library, but decided it is the wrong time. "We are trying to operate library services out of very weak infrastructure -- some of the branches don't even have restrooms," Martinez said. "But the construction bond is going to have to wait a couple of years for the economy to stabilize or some miracle to happen." If Nadel gets her measure on the ballot, the library tax could be competing with a parcel or hotel tax for violence prevention. Nadel has been working with Mayor Jerry Brown on a measure that would be more palatable than last year's failed effort to fund 100 new police officers. Nadel said 40 percent of her measure would go to police, 40 percent to social services and 20 percent to jobs. But the council must reach consensus on those measures -- as well as a strong-mayor measure -- by its Dec. 2 meeting to meet the Dec. 5 deadline to submit them to the Registrar of Voters.