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Residents and library advocates press Seattle council for larger levy investment in books, programs and maintenance
Summary
Public commenters — library foundation leaders, volunteers and regular patrons — told the Select Committee the proposed $410 million levy should invest more in collections, multilingual and youth programming and building upkeep; the Foundation flagged only $10 million of new deferred‑maintenance funding across 27 branches.
Public commenters and library advocates told the Seattle City Council Select Committee on the Library Levy on March 25 that the mayor’s proposed $410 million levy should devote more money to books, digital collections, programming and deferred maintenance.
Jennifer Lowe, board president of Friends of the Seattle Public Library, told the committee the proposal “would not provide enough resources to truly achieve the library's mission” and argued the library needs “at least $10 million more than the proposed levy provides for collections” to reduce long waits for popular e‑books and expand digital programs.
Speakers at an in‑person and remote hybrid public comment session emphasized the levy’s role in serving multilingual families, early learners and small businesses. Karen, a member of the Seattle Public Library Foundation board, said private fundraising now covers about one‑third of new books and that levy funding should seize the once‑every‑seven‑years opportunity to boost collections; she cited the library’s estimate that collection dollars return roughly $16 in value for every levy dollar invested.
Volunteers and branch users described the Levy’s neighborhood impact. Carrie, a volunteer who runs the Homework Help program at High Point, said about 80% of participants have parents who speak a language other than English and asked that the levy expand staffing so programs run more days. Kiana Scott, a Greenwood resident and small business owner, described relying on meeting rooms and study spaces and urged expanded teen and early‑literacy offerings.
Brian Lawrence, CEO of the Seattle Public Library Foundation, praised the community’s advocacy but warned the levy’s additional maintenance funding is limited. “The proposed levy only includes $10 million in additional resources spread out over seven years and 27 locations,” Lawrence said, noting that amount averages under $5,000 per month per branch while the library has identified roughly $75 million more in capital maintenance needs over coming decades.
The public comment period lasted about 20 minutes; the committee then proceeded to briefings from the mayor’s office and library staff.
What’s next: the committee will consider amendments at its March 31 meeting and hold a public hearing on April 2 as the council weighs whether to place the levy on the August 4 ballot.
