Committee hears how 2019 library levy has funded collections, buildings and technology as city plans 2026 renewal

The Seattle City Council’s Library Education & Neighborhoods Committee on Feb. 19 received a staff briefing on how the 2019 Seattle Public Library levy—authorized at $219,100,000—has been used across collections, building maintenance and technology and what the library plans to ask voters in a 2026 renewal.

Chair Maritz Rivera opened the special meeting and said the presentations aim to “show how their dollars are working” to maintain hours, acquire materials and upgrade technology. Rob Gannon, director of administrative services for the library, told the committee that in the current budget year about 58% of the library’s funding comes from the city general fund and roughly one-third (33%) from the levy, with smaller shares from real-estate excise tax, foundation support and gift funds.

Gannon said some services historically funded from the general fund have been shifted onto the levy “over the course of a number of years” because of pressures on city resources, and that those transfers are accounted for during the mayor’s budget process and council approval. “When items come off of the general fund and are moved onto the levy, that usually means we have to look at ways to extend the existing levy resources,” he said, explaining some projects are deferred to preserve core hours and staffing.

Committee members pressed staff on trade-offs. Chief librarian Tom Fay and Gannon said the library faced a choice this year to defer a $5 million seismic project at the Columbia branch so the system could maintain hours and staffing. Fay said the levy remains a “finite resource” but has not decreased in the pandemic era because property values did not fall, and staff stressed prioritization will guide decisions in the next levy package.

Fay, Gannon and other SPL staff said they will return next week with the second half of the levy briefing focused on hours and access, helping children, and administration and central costs. Rivera encouraged residents to consult SPL’s online annual and impact reports that document levy spending and outcomes.