Spokane voters handily approved raising taxes for library services in a February 12, 2013 election to preserve smaller branch libraries of the Spokane Public Library from closure. Now these branches will increase their hours of service.

Generally voters made wise decisions regarding their local libraries in 2012. Other funding levy elections will keep the doors of the Ocean Shores Library open (approved 51.73% 08/07/2012) as well as in Castle Rock where the Library got approval to continue opperating (approved 62.32% 2/14/2012). Voters in Ocean Shores rejected the measure in April but changed their minds in August.  The successful levy measure in Seattle will allow the Seattle Public Library to regain losses from budget reductions (approved 64.17% 08/07/2012).

Voters approved a partial-county library district in Sedro Woolley (approved 60.14% 11/06/2012) in an area where creating a unified county-wide library district has been difficult to achieve. Voters in the City of Morton agreed to annex into the Timberland Regional Library (approved 72.75% 11/06/2012) and Lamont voters agreed to join the Whitman County Rural Library District (approved 96.88% 11/06/2012). In King County voters in Enumclaw agreed to annex into the King County Library system (approved 50.71% 04/17/2012).

An advisory vote regarding location of the Renton Library (King County Library System) indicated that the Cedar River location was preferred over the location west of the Piazza (76.4% 08/07/2012).

The success of these elections is heartwarming. It indicates that voters continue to be willing to support their libraries financially and to vote for increased library service through creation of library districts and through annexation.  That is my perspective. I’d like to hear yours.

Rand Simmons
State Librarian