Stanwood library staff say ‘everyone is welcome’; council presses on safety and levy uses

Councilmembers used Sno Isle’s district presentation to press staff for specifics on how levy funds would affect safety and family‑oriented services at the Stanwood branch. Charles Pratt, Stanwood’s library manager, said the local branch serves visitors who are unhoused as well as other community groups and emphasized behavior standards as the governing policy.

“Overall, of course, our policy is that everyone is welcome to the library,” Pratt said. He told the council the staff focus on enforcing a code of conduct and handling behavior concerns so the space remains welcoming for parents, children and other patrons. Pratt also noted that roughly half the district’s facilities are owned by municipalities — the Stanwood building, he said, is city‑owned — and that post‑closing enforcement of property rules is a city responsibility.

Councilmembers asked what specific improvements a successful levy restoration might fund for young families and caregivers. Staff said architects, specialists and in‑district conversations are part of the strategic plan; examples included changes to make children’s spaces more inviting and funding to support credentialing for daycare workers, outreach to remote locations, and increased programming aimed at parents and caretakers.

Councilmembers and staff agreed to follow up: staff will provide more detail about planned facility and programming improvements tied to levy proceeds and will offer opportunities for councilmembers to meet with library staff and architects before the ballot campaign.