Elections

Simple economics mean that Valley libraries keep seeing increased business in a recession.  After all, patrons can check out a book, free of charge.  But libraries themselves don’t operate for nothing.  The King County Library System goes before voters February 9 with Proposition 1, a requested levy lid lift, boosting the tax revenues that libraries receive.  (Photo) (Snoqualmie Valley Record, 1.20.10) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/east_king/svr/news/81607387.html

Voters will decide in the all-mail special election next month whether to lift the state lid on property-tax levies so the King County Library System can raise additional operating revenue. The total revenue generated by a successful Proposition 1 vote would become the base for additional levy increases of 1 percent each year as allowed by law. (Renton Reporter [Kent], 1.22.10)

King County Library System’s top executive visited Vashon on Saturday to urge support for an upcoming ballot proposition. Bill Ptacek rode his bike from Bellevue on the drizzly morning to speak to those gathered at the Vashon Friends of the Library meeting, explaining why he considers passage of the library proposition on February 9 is critical to the library system’s functioning.  (Photo) (The Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber, 1.27.10) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/vashon/vib/news/82714112.html

King County Library System officials will ask voters next month to increase property taxes to maintain programs and services at the third-busiest library system in the nation.  Officials trimmed $1.9 million from the system last year and proponents say additional money raised through the property tax increase is necessary to prevent further cuts. (The Sammamish Review [Issaquah], 1.27.10) http://sammamishreview.com/2010/01/20/voters-will-decide-tax-increase-for-library-services

The Board of Directors of the King County Rural Library District has adopted Resolution No. 2009-11, which concerns the district’s regular property tax levy.  In order to provide continued funding for the operation and maintenance of the King County Library System, this proposition would authorize the district to restore its regular property tax levy rate to 50 cents per $1,000 of assessed value for 2011.  It would also allow the district to increase the levy in each year thereafter. (Photo) (Mercer Island Reporter, 1.27.10) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/east_king/mir/news/82417077.html

Snoqualmie City Council unanimously endorsed King County Rural Library District Proposition 1, and Snoqualmie Valley School District Propositions 1 and 2 at its January 25 meeting.  All measures will be on the ballot for the February 9 special election. (SnoValley Star [Issaquah], 1.28.10) http://snovalleystar.com/2010/01/27/snoqualmie-city-council-endorses-ballot-levies

The City of Renton has issued a correction about how much property owners are paying to support the city’s library. The library’s current cost, found on the city’s Web site, has been heavily used by those debating the February 9 vote on whether to annex to the King County Library System. The city initially indicated that property owners are paying about 26 cents and the correction lowers that number to 21 cents. (Renton Reporter [Kent], 1.29.10) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/south_king/ren/news/82842252.html

The King County Library System is asking voters outside Seattle to approve a ballot proposition that would stave off the need to cut the library’s budget in 2011 and beyond. But an opponent of the measure argues that the library ought to be making cuts in lean times, like most other government agencies are doing. If approved, Proposition 1 would allow the library to get around an initiative that limits the growth in property-tax revenues to 1 percent annually, unless voters approve a higher increase. (Seattle Times, 2.4.10) http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2010975678_librarylevy04m.html

Letters & Editorials

There are two letters to the editor supporting the Renton Library annexation to the King County Library System. “I support KCLS Annexation Proposition 1 because I love Renton and its libraries!” (Renton Reporter [Kent], 1.22.10)

http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/south_king/ren/opinion/letters/82272597.html

http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/south_king/ren/opinion/letters/82272657.html

There are two letters to the editor rejecting the Renton Library annexation to the King County Library System. “I am appalled how most of the Renton City Council has given up and is willing to outsource one of the most efficient, customer-service-centered library systems in the county.” (Renton Reporter [Kent], 1.22.10)

http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/south_king/ren/opinion/letters/82272682.html

http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/south_king/ren/opinion/letters/82272512.html

Many things help make a city great.  Good schools and city services are two.  A third is a great library. We have that with the King County Library System.  Now the library system needs our help to maintain the quality that we demand – and have come to expect.  A measure on the February 9 ballot will restore funds that have been whittled away from the library over the years.  The measure deserves a “yes” vote. (Bellevue Reporter [Kent], 1.27.10)  http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/east_king/bel/opinion/82689827.html

I hope that you are all aware that the February 9 election ballot contains the important Proposition 1 that will restore the King County Library System’s property tax levy rate. Libraries are an essential part of our neighborhood…I strongly urge you to vote yes on Proposition 1. (SnoValley Star [Issaquah], 1.28.10) http://snovalleystar.com/2010/01/27/letters-jan-27

The Redmond community has a long and impressive tradition of support for public library services. On February 9, voters will have the opportunity to vote to sustain the current service levels with Proposition 1 on the ballot. Now, the voters must act and vote YES on Proposition 1 to ensure that our valuable resource is not diminished. (Redmond Reporter [Kent], 1.29.10) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/east_king/red/opinion/letters/82987292.html

There are four letters to the editor supporting the Renton Library annexation to the King County Library System. “Please vote yes for annexation to the KCLS library system, as annexation will improve service and access to many more books than now available at the Renton Library.” (Renton Reporter [Kent], 1.29.10)

http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/south_king/ren/opinion/letters/82957022.html

http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/south_king/ren/opinion/letters/82957102.html

http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/south_king/ren/opinion/letters/82957197.html

http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/south_king/ren/opinion/82852982.html

There are four letters to the editor rejecting the Renton Library annexation to the King County Library System. “Please don’t be fooled by the slick claims of the pro campaign.  More for less isn’t the right solution. Vote No on Proposition 1.” (Renton Reporter [Kent], 1.29.10)

http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/south_king/ren/opinion/letters/82957047.html

http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/south_king/ren/opinion/letters/82957152.html

http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/south_king/ren/opinion/letters/82957112.html

http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/south_king/ren/opinion/letters/82957222.html

Free books.  Free movies.  Free music.  Free Internet. Sounds great.  Oh, yeah. We already have it all…at the library. The King County Library System is the third busiest library in the U.S. To show your support for the King County Library System, we urge you to vote yes for Proposition 1 on your ballot and mail it by February 9. (Auburn Reporter, 1.29.10) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/south_king/aub/opinion/letters/82954192.html

The King County Library System (KCLS) is asking voters to increase the levy rate to 50 cents per $1,000 of assessed value in 2011.  Hardcore library enthusiasts should speak up with a yes vote.  However, for the casual or non-library user, maybe this is one time to say no. (Federal Way Mirror, 1.30.10) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/south_king/fwm/opinion/83075167.html

On February 9 voters will be asked to continue a property tax levy “to provide for continued funding for the normal operation and maintenance of the King County Library System.” Perhaps, this additional levy has not been spent well up to this point and show not be renewed; my vote is no. (Bellevue Reporter [Kent], 1.30.10) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/east_king/bel/opinion/letters/82703132.html

Seattle Public Libraries are cutting costs by cutting hours at most of its libraries, while adding hours at other key library locations. King County Library System should do the same. We value the services the libraries provide, but this is not the time to lift the levy. (The Sammamish Review [Issaquah], 2.3.10) http://sammamishreview.com/2010/02/02/library-levy-request-misleads-voters#more-9132

[This summary of library news was created by Bobbie DeMiero and Leanna Hammond of the Washington State Library Division of the Office of the Secretary of State.  It represents a selection of newspaper clippings about Washington libraries from all Washington newspapers received in the packets on the dates shown. For more information about any of these stories, contact Carolyn Petersen at 360.570.5560 or [email protected] ]