SEATTLE – Seattle voters could decide next year whether to dramatically expand dedicated funding for The Seattle Public Library under a proposed $410 million Library Levy that Mayor Katie Wilson transmitted to the Seattle City Council on Tuesday.
The proposed 2026 replacement levy would fund the library system for seven years, from 2027 through 2033, replacing the expiring $219.1 million 2019 Library Levy, which currently accounts for one-third of the library’s total budget.
“Seattle is a city of readers. From toddlers discovering their first stories to seniors finding connection and lifelong learning, our libraries belong to everyone,” Wilson said.
The 2026 levy proposal maintains the 2019 levy’s focus areas: Operating Hours and Access; Helping Children; Collections (Books and Materials); Technology and Online Services; Building Maintenance; and Administration and Central Costs.
If voters approve the 2026 Library Levy, it would invest in access, programming, collections, building maintenance, and technology and online services across Seattle’s library system. The proposal includes maintaining open hours at all 27 neighborhood branches, adding more physical books along with e-books and audiobooks, expanding technology and online services, and funding building maintenance and capital improvements. It also includes additional facility and janitorial resources intended to keep libraries “safer, cleaner and more welcoming for everyone.”
Chief Librarian Tom Fay thanked the mayor for the proposal.
“We thank Mayor Wilson for putting forward a levy proposal that reflects community needs and interests and invests in Library open hours, collections, programs, buildings, and technology,” Fay said. “We look forward to working in partnership with Mayor Wilson and City councilmembers through a public process that will ensure this package is something all Seattle residents can be proud to support in August,”
The proposal will be reviewed by a select committee of the Seattle City Council chaired by Councilmember Maritza Rivera, who represents District 4. Rivera joined Wilson, Fay and Library Board of Trustees President Yazmin Mehdi for the transmittal of the levy proposal to the City Council on Tuesday.
“This proposal reaffirms Seattle’s reputation as a world-class library system. We are a City of avid and curious readers who rely on our libraries for information and engagement,” Rivera said. “For decades, library patrons have described their branches as beloved third places, centers of learning, and safe spaces that are worth the investment.”
Rivera said the levy renewal also upholds “the city’s commitment to preserving library open hours, providing books in the format that readers want, delivering programming for tots all the way up to seniors, and maintaining welcoming branches that reflect the diversity of their neighborhoods.”
According to the proposal’s spending plan, major investments include:
The proposal sets aside funding for routine and major maintenance, including:
Technology investments include:
The first Select Committee meeting, which will include an overview of the 2019 Library Levy, is scheduled for March 11. The Select Committee will vote on a final proposal to place on the ballot in August 2026. Rivera will lead the council’s levy renewal process as chair of the Select Committee on the Library Levy.
“I want to thank Mayor Wilson’s office for their collaboration on this levy renewal,” Rivera said. “Any time we can work together on projects like this, the City benefits.”If the updated package is approved by the City Council, it would go to voters on the Aug. 4, 2026, ballot. More information is available on The Seattle Public Library’s website.
поділитися в твіттері: Mayor Katie Wilson proposes $410 million Seattle Public Library Levy to city council