Library Levy
The 2019 Library Levy supplements city funding to support core Library services including open hours, collection development, technology services, children’s programming, and building maintenance. It also provides funds for seismic retrofit projects at three Carnegie libraries.
About the Levy
In August 2019, Seattle voters overwhelmingly approved a seven-year, $219.1 million property tax levy to maintain and enhance Library services from 2020 through 2026, renewing the seven-year levy approved in 2012. Beyond renewing 2012 Levy commitments, the 2019 Levy provides support for additional Library hours; elimination of overdue fines; improved collections and technology; safer, cleaner buildings; specialized programming and services for children; and development of a plan for the future of library service.
Since we began implementing the levy in January 2020, we have made progress on some key levy priorities but had to defer others. In 2024, the Library experienced challenges including budget-related staffing shortages and a ransomware attack that disrupted the Library’s technology services and systems for months. Despite setbacks, we made progress on levy promises, including completing a strategic plan, reopening a retrofitted Green Lake Branch, stabilizing open hours, and investing in collections. In 2024, the Library spent $31.7 million of 2019 Levy funds and $0.4 million of 2012 Levy funds in key levy investment areas.
2024 Levy Accomplishments
Hours and Access
We promised to make Library resources and services accessible to patrons when they need them.
2024 Levy Spending: $13.9 million
2024 Accomplishments
- Celebrated five years of fine-free borrowing.
- Expanded hours in Q1 but in Q2, had to roll back hours due to a hiring freeze imposed in response to city budget challenges. Hours were partially restored in Q3. When the Green Lake Branch reopened at the end of October, the Library was operating at 99% of its 2019 level with plans to expand hours in early 2025.
- The Library’s Social Services team, partly funded by the levy, made over 1,100 social service referrals and offered weekly programming for adults and youth at the Central Library. It also hosted three resource fairs to build connections between Library staff and library users in need of social services.
- Operated pick-up lockers at the Ballard, Beacon Hill, Broadview, High Point, Montlake, Northeast, and Rainier Beach branches, which provide 24/7 access to library holds. The Levy supported the lockers’ installation and operation.
Provide More Books and Materials
We promised to provide a robust collection of books and materials.
2024 Levy Spending: $6.2 million (2019 Levy)
2024 Accomplishments
- The Levy funded 47% of our 2024 Collections spending, including adding 100,000+ copies and 45,000 titles to the digital collection, which grew to more than 1 million items.
- More than 188,000 patrons downloaded over 5.4 million digital books (e-books and e-audiobooks), representing an 8% increase in users compared to 2023.
- Added 168,000+ physical items using funds from all sources, including 19,000+ copies of Peak Picks titles. The popular Peak Picks collection is funded exclusively by the levy, and surpassed 1 million checkouts since the collection was launched in 2017.
- More than 120,000 patrons checked out 4.5 million physical items, a decrease compared to 2023 because of the cyberattack disruption.
- Added 3,800+ items to our digital local history and culture collections, which now have over 30,000 items, including digital copies of the Northwest Asian Weekly and Marine Digest. Over 39,000 people viewed our local history digital collections.
Technology and Online Services
We promised to promote digital equity and improve our computer and online services.
2024 Levy Spending: Operations - $3 million (2019 Levy), $0.1 million (2012 Levy); Capital – $0.7 million (2019 Levy)
2024 Accomplishments
- Technology and online services were disrupted for several months by the Memorial Day weekend cyberattack. The restoration process, largely complete by Labor Day, accelerated security improvements such as multi-factor authentication for staff.
- Loaned 1,150 hot spots in the community, including 250 outreach hot spots that are loaned long-term to communities disproportionately impacted by the digital divide. Hot spots in our catalog circulated 5,400 times. We worked with 14 community partners to loan outreach hot spots.
- Despite disruptions, patrons printed over 1.5 million pages from Library printers and scanned or faxed over 300,000 pages on the Library’s ScanEZ equipment.
Programming for Children
We promised to provide additional early learning program for children ages 0-5.
2024 Levy Spending: $0.4 million (2019 Levy)
2024 Accomplishments
- Held 1,000+ story times at Library locations and in the community. The levy pays for 35% of the Library’s children and teen services librarians.
- Offered 290 Play and Learn sessions at Beacon Hill, Columbia, Delridge, Lake City, NewHolly, Rainier Beach and South Park branches in collaboration with partners.
Maintain Buildings
We promised to maintain buildings for the next generation.
2024 Levy Spending: $5.25 million (2019 Levy)
2024 Accomplishments
- Reopened Green Lake Branch after completion of a 20-month renovation that included an earthquake retrofit, interior and accessibility improvements and an electric HVAC system with air conditioning. Levy provided 65% of funding for Green Lake project.
- Readied University Branch for earthquake retrofit project, slated to begin in early 2025.
- Operated new air conditioning systems at the Northeast and Southwest branches in summer 2024, which brought the total of Library locations with air conditioning to 23.
Library Levy Priority Survey
Library of the Future
- In November 2024, the Library Board adopted a 10-year Strategic Plan, which identifies steps the Library will take to address anticipated challenges and improve community outcomes.
- The plan was a multi-year levy funded effort that engaged dozens of community organizations, hundreds of Library patrons, Library staff, and other invested parties.
Library Levy Priority Survey
In the fall of 2021, the Library received more than 4,600 responses to a public survey we conducted asking Seattle residents about their perceptions of the Library, how Library use had shifted during COVID-19 and preferred Library hours. The survey, which was available online and in print at all Library locations, was offered in English, Amharic, Chinese, Oromo, Somali, Spanish, Tigrinya and Vietnamese.
The sample of responses were largely representative in race, age and gender of demographics within the city of Seattle. Survey responses have helped the Library plan for expanding levy-supported hours, which we introduced in 2023. Key findings from the survey are included in a two-page summary. Thanks to all of our patrons who took the time to fill out the survey and provide us valuable feedback!
Read the Library Levy Survey Summary
Lea el resumen de la encuesta sobre impuestos de la biblioteca en español