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Residents and library advocates urge more collections, programs and accessibility in 2026 levy
Summary
Several Seattle residents, nonprofit leaders and authors told the Select Committee on the Library Levy they support adding funding for collections, multilingual programs, caregiver services and branch maintenance during the March 31 public comment period. Speakers described personal reliance on library programs and urged council support for sponsor amendments.
At the start of the March 31 Select Committee on the Library Levy meeting, six registered speakers gave two-minute public comments urging expanded funding for collections, multilingual and caregiver programs, and branch maintenance.
Britney, a board member and chair of the Seattle Public Library Foundation's advocacy committee, said advocates had pushed for a larger levy and asked councilmembers to "vote for these low-cost, high-value amendments," saying the additional $70 million sought by some supporters would be spread over seven years and translate to about $10 million a year.
A Seattle resident identified as Caroline described growing up using the Fremont and district libraries and thanked Councilmembers Rinck and Strauss for proposed amendments to boost materials. Angel, a Friends of Seattle Public Library board member, emphasized the challenge of e-book prices and urged investment to expand both physical and digital collections and access to the Libby app.
Angela Castaneda, executive director of Business Lens, said the Library-to-Business program helps small businesses and entrepreneurs and praised levy investments that would update the Columbia City and West Seattle branches. Dorothy Doyle, a caregiver from West Seattle, told the committee a library program in partnership with the Memory Hub and the Alzheimer's Association has been a lifeline, providing caregiver support and therapeutic activities.
Speakers highlighted multilingual services, citing local branch populations that speak many languages and calling for expanded ESL and Kaleidoscope Play-and-Learn programming at branches such as Lake City, Northgate and Broadview. Several speakers thanked Councilmembers Rinck, Foster, Lin and Strauss for their amendments and urged the committee to secure funding that preserves library services for vulnerable users.
The public comment period closed after the registered speakers, and the committee proceeded to review amendments and technical details. No public rebuttal or dispute occurred during the comment period.
Closing note: the committee will hold a public hearing on the levy April 2 at 5:30 p.m. and is scheduled to vote on amendments April 8 at 9:30 a.m.
