The Spokane County Library District is seeking levy restoration for maintenance and operations of its 11 libraries to keep services at existing levels throughout Spokane County, increase digital materials and replace outdated building heating and cooling systems. The district is asking voters to consider this measure.
According to communication and development director Jane Baker, the district’s levy rate is currently at 43 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value, and the district wants to restore the rate to 50 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value, which would be a 7 cent increase.
“Our facilities need some upgrading, but nothing super exciting with it because we need maintenance and operation,” Baker said. “Security systems need to be updated to bring our facilities up to current standards.”
To accomplish this goal, the levy needs a majority of over 50 percent voter approval. If approved, the library district will not just update safety and security, but also repair or replace outdated HVAC systems and maintain library services at current levels in all facilities.
The funds would also pay for an increase in the digital collection of eBooks, audiobook downloads and streaming offerings. But if the measure fails, the district will shift available funds to facility repairs and maintenance, reduce story times and other programs, acquire fewer new digital resources and begin determining where and when community libraries will be closed.
Baker said that the HVAC is very important to the district, which makes the levy restoration even more needed.
“A lot of our systems are near end of life,” Baker said. “They’re pretty old. We need to update them to increase energy efficiency. That would save the district some money in being more efficient. We would make our facilities more hospitable, welcoming, comfort.”
According to Baker, the library district has identified an operational need to bring services to those who are not able to visit the library themselves. To address this need, the district is also planning to add another vehicle to expand mobile services with emerging technologies to extend services to rural communities within the library district’s service area.
The restoration levy will appear on the Aug. 6 election ballot.
Marco Vargas is an Eastern Washington University student majoring in journalism.
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