Residents urge full funding for Washoe County libraries; board proclaims National Library Week

Dozens of Washoe County residents urged the Board of County Commissioners on April 8 to fully fund the county library system, arguing cuts would harm families, seniors and job seekers. The board also unanimously approved a proclamation designating the week of April 12, 2025, as National Library Week.

Many speakers described personal and community uses for libraries and urged the commission to preserve branch hours and staff. “Please fully fund the libraries. We're an investment in the community in countless ways,” said Collin Biggs, a library supporter who listed services librarians provide from story time to technology help. Author and resident Nasim Jamnia cited system-wide usage statistics and budget context, saying the library budget in fiscal 2023–24 was about $12 million, roughly 1.3% of the county’s $1 billion budget.

Why it matters: Library services surfaced repeatedly during the meeting’s public-comment period, where speakers tied the system to literacy, digital access and public safety roles such as wildfire evacuation hubs. The discussion comes as county leaders prepare budget choices after WC1, a library funding ballot question, failed in November 2024 and advocates said voters were confused by misinformation during the campaign.

Supporters described concrete losses if staffing and hours are reduced. Alex Hoft, an avid volunteer, said, “WC1 was never a vote to defund the Washoe County Library System. Please continue supporting it.” Others described how summer reading programs and digital databases support children, jobseekers and older adults. Several speakers noted federal funding shifts for library programs and urged the county to compensate for those losses.

Commissioner comments and next steps: Commissioners thanked speakers and recorded the proclamation vote. Commissioner Marlouse Garcia presented the National Library Week proclamation, noting libraries’ role as a community hub; the board voted to approve the proclamation unanimously. Several commissioners asked staff and the library board for more detailed budget briefings during the coming budget cycle and for audit or efficiency reviews to explore savings without cutting core services.

Community context and pressure points: Speakers and public filings described ongoing public debate after WC1’s defeat, with advocates saying misinformation led many voters to reject the measure. Commenters asked the commission to avoid staff layoffs and hour reductions, and to consider alternatives to a dedicated revenue stream if the board chooses to fund libraries within the general budget. Several speakers provided usage data and petitions, and multiple library trustees and district representatives attended the proclamation presentation.

Ending: The proclamation gives the board symbolic recognition of libraries and starts a public engagement window ahead of budget deliberations. Residents who testified asked commissioners to translate the public support shown at the meeting into budget decisions that keep branches open and staff funded. The finance and library staffs were directed to provide more detailed briefings to the commission during upcoming budget sessions.