Eugene staff outline three library levy concepts; polling to begin in November

Joshua Bates, the executive director of Library, Recreation and Cultural Services for the city of Eugene, told the City Council on Oct. 27 that the current local option library levy will expire in June 2026 and staff are presenting three high-level service-and-cost concepts for a possible May 2026 ballot measure.

The concepts presented ranged from maintaining current services to adding early literacy programming and neighborhood access points. Bates said staff will conduct community polling through DHM Research in November and return to council with refined options in January 2026.

The three concepts presented were: a maintenance option to sustain current services, a package focused on early literacy and youth services, and an expansion that adds neighborhood kiosks and a system study. Angela Ocana, Eugene Public Library director, said Concept 1 aims to “maintain the library's current level of service while advancing the community's priorities of access, equity, and safety.” She described that option as preserving roughly the library’s current…