In August of 2012 63% of Seattle voters approved a special levy to restore library services lost in the recession. The levy also funded expanded hours, new collections, improved computer and online services, and building maintenance, in order to support library services that effectively serve all of Seattle’s population in the 21st Century. In its […]

I would like to personally thank Seattle voters for again reaffirming their commitment to libraries by overwhelmingly approving a seven-year, $122.6 million property tax levy on the August 7 ballot to support the Seattle Public Library (SPL).  I initiated the two year process to prepare this proposal, and chaired the Committee of the Whole on […]

The City Council has begun the process for placing a 30-year property tax bond measure on the November ballot to complete the financing package for the Seawall replacement and strengthening.  The Council must make a decision by July in order to place this measure on the ballot. The City has been working for almost ten […]

An initial review of funding options for the Seattle Public Library suggests that going to the voters for a levy lid lift to fund library operations may be the most promising possibility.  The other promising options — creating a separate library district or increasing the City’s overall revenues — seem to be more difficult and […]

The City will need to cut up to $50 million (about 5%) out of the preliminary planned budgets for 2011 and 2012. I have chosen to take oversight of the library in my Regional Development and Sustainability Committee, and hope to find a new and independent source of funding for Seattle Public Libraries, one which will take library funding out of the competition for general fund revenues.