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Seattle considers library levy to cover shortfall, restore service

Tis the season for open houses, community meetings and public hearings. Wednesday, you might remember, a City Council committee will hear public comment on the new Regulatory Reform proposals. Meanwhile, on Thursday, there is a public forum on the end of the Ride Free Area. Next week, there will be another committee hearing important to the Capitol Hill community as a proposal that could help the Seattle Library System overcome continuing financial shortfalls:

As a result of continued fiscal challenges and cuts to The Seattle Public Library funding, the Seattle City Council is considering placing a Library levy on the Aug. 7, 2012, ballot to supplement city funding. 

The City Council will hold a public hearing to receive community input on this proposed levy. Everyone is welcome to attend and address the City Council. 


City Council Public Hearing
5:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 3
Council Chambers
Seattle City Hall
600 Fourth Ave., Floor 2

You can view the press release at: http://www.spl.org/about-the-library/library-news-releases/levy-public-hearing-43.

According to Seattle Public LIbrary proposal, the system projects another $5 million general fund cut in 2013 if more revenue isn’t raised. Library planners says that would require the system to shutter five branches — or close the entire system every Friday. The proposed levy would generate $17 million per year for seven years for SPL by increasing property taxes in the city. The new funding would also allow the system to eliminate the week-long closure it has scheduled in recent years to cut costs and would restore Sunday hours to branches currently open five days per week. Money would also be dedicated to improving the system’s collection of books and media and upgrading technology as well as funding a maintenance program for the system’s branches. You can review the plan in this overview (PDF).

Opened in 2003, the Capitol Hill library branch on Harvard Ave E provides access to more than books and media including movies and music. The system also boasts a variety of online databases that provide card holders with access to free online classes via Universal Class, an online database that the library added to its resources in February. The library also offers language learning databases for a variety of languages from Mandarin-Chinese to Polish.  Learning Express Library, another online database, provides library members with guided preparations for a variety of exams ranging from GED, to teacher certification.

The Capitol Hill branch hosts a book group held every first Wednesday night of the month from 6:30 – 7:30. In addition, if you have a little one in your care, drop by for Toddler Story Time every Wednesday morning from 10:30- 11:30 hosted by the children’s librarian.

Capitol Hill Branch
425 Harvard Ave. E.
Seattle, WA 98102
206-684-4715

Hours:

Mon: 10 am – 8 pm
Tue: 10 am – 8 pm
Wed: 10 am – 8 pm
Thu: 10 am – 8 pm
Fri: 10 am – 6 pm
Sat: 10 am – 6 pm
Sun: 1 pm – 5 pm

The Capitol Hill branch also has computers, meeting groups and study rooms. 

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12 years ago

All hail to the great library services of Seattle.
I will vote for any levy to help them, and you should too.