Seattle Public Library previews 2026 levy renewal, details usage, budget and planned upgrades

Chair Maritza Rivera convened the Libraries, Education & Neighborhoods Committee on Jan. 14, 2026, to hear an overview from Seattle Public Library leadership as the system begins planning a 2026 levy renewal. Chief Librarian Tom Faye and Government Relations Manager Kirsten Nelson briefed the committee on operations, funding, service delivery and upcoming projects.

The presentation placed the levy renewal in context. "As we head into the final year of the library's 7-year 2019 levy," Faye said, "I do look forward to our continued discussions as chair Rivera mentioned." He reported that across all funding sources, including private gifts and grants, the 2026 library budget is $113,500,000, with the city's general fund supplying about 58% and the 2019 levy accounting for roughly 33%. Faye also said the library's foundation is providing over $5,600,000 in 2026.

Why it matters: the committee will weigh the coming levy proposal against service needs, deferred capital work and rising costs for collections and digital materials. Faye noted the system is people-centered: "We have 650 wonderful library staff, representing 612 FTE," and said personnel represents roughly three-quarters of spending, with collections about 10%.

The briefing included usage and program data: Faye said the library circulated about 12,700,000 items (physical and digital), maintained roughly 2,000,000 collection items, served 329,000 active patrons in the past 12 months, offered more than 6,100 classes and events with about 118,000 attendees, answered 37,000 information questions and logged 369,000 public computer sessions in 2025.

Faye described several priorities that will inform the levy proposal: a new integrated library system (ILS) scheduled for implementation in the fall to replace a system not updated in about 26 years; a security audit and an expanded cybersecurity program; branch renovations (Green Lake completed with LEED Gold and University branch work ongoing); and capital projects such as air-conditioning and electrical upgrades. "Our goal is to have air conditioning in all of our buildings within the next couple of years," Faye said, but cautioned timelines depend on construction cycles.

On outreach and planning, Faye said SPL conducted statistically informed engagement to shape its 10-year strategic plan and community-use agreement, mailing a survey to 15,000 randomly selected residents and achieving a 7% response (more than 1,000 respondents). He said that work will guide levy planning and service design.

Digital access and collections posed fiscal challenges. Faye described ebooks and eaudiobook licensing as expensive and often limited: "Ebooks generally are at least 2 to 3 times more than you as a consumer would pay for an ebook," and licenses can allow a limited number of uses (for example, 26 concurrent uses) or a limited time window. He urged collective negotiations with publishers and platforms and proposed exploring perpetual-license options to preserve a durable public digital collection.

The committee questioned SPL about capital and program needs throughout the presentation. Council members pressed on seismic and deferred maintenance needs, how mobile services extend access (bookmobiles serving preschools, adult-care facilities and tiny-house villages), and how SPL coordinates social-service referrals with city partners.

Next steps: Faye and SPL staff said they will return with more detailed levy planning material in coming months. Chair Rivera closed the session by reminding the committee the next meeting is Jan. 28, 2026.