Snow Isle Libraries outlines programs, strategic plan and August levy restoration

Snow Isle Libraries leaders told the Monroe City Council on June 16 that the system is expanding services and will seek voter approval this summer to restore an expiring levy.

Eric Howard, introduced at the meeting as a library representative, said Snow Isle Libraries runs 23 branches across Snohomish and Island counties, operates a multi‑vehicle outreach fleet serving more than 300 daycares and senior centers, and delivered more than 6,000 events systemwide last year. "We are more popular now than we have ever been," he said, describing a year of strategic planning using surveys and focus groups to identify what residents value and where the system should grow.

Peggy Nelson, identified as manager of the Monroe Library, outlined Monroe‑specific programs: story times and expanded early‑learning work, sensory‑friendly stay‑and‑play series, monthly teen gaming and a recurring "chaos hour," large family events (a spring Pokemon party drew about 200 people), and partnerships with city human services, the Salvation Army and the Monroe Historical Society. "We're leaning into early learning even more," Nelson said, noting the library partners with state trainers to credential daycare workers and runs workshops with university faculty.

Council members asked about the library's strategic‑plan timeline and finances. Staff said the board placed a restoration levy on the August ballot because the library is approaching the end of its 2018 levy and expects a roughly $1.9 million operating deficit in 2027. Officials described the levy as a restoration of the 2018 rate, which staff said would increase the rate from about $0.30 to $0.47 per $1,000 of assessed value—an example calculation presented at the meeting estimated roughly $100 a year for a $600,000–$700,000 home.

Why it matters: the restoration levy would fund core library operations and planned service levels during a period of population growth in Snohomish and Island counties. Council members and residents who use Monroe programs said the library serves wide age ranges—from zero‑to‑three early‑learning goals staff emphasized to teen and adult programs—and praised partnerships that connect patrons to housing, flood recovery and other social services.

What comes next: library staff said the strategic plan work will continue through late fall or early winter with a report back to council; the levy measure will appear on the August ballot. The library asked residents to use its website to take surveys and review the Q&A materials posted for the proposed levy.