During the past three years, the Board of Trustees and staff of the Seattle Public Library, along with other City staff and independent experts, have devoted thousands of hours to public analysis, review and discussion of library needs. Most recently, the Seattle Public Library conducted 35 neighborhood meetings to learn from citizens what they expected from and desired for their local libraries and the whole system. "Libraries for All" is the result of these consultations and efforts.

A Plan to Improve All Libraries

"Libraries for All" recommends a total investment of $73 million to renew and expand Seattle's present system of 22 neighborhood libraries. This sum nearly doubles what was proposed in 1994, and would--

• Construct three new neighborhood libraries to serve the Delridge, International District, and Northgate communities.
• Replace six existing libraries with expanded facilities to better serve Ballard, Beacon Hill, Greenwood, High Point, Montlake and North Capitol Hill (Henry Library).
• Significantly expand program space in the Broadview, Columbia City, Douglass-Truth, Lake City, North East, Rainier Beach, and Southwest libraries.
• Make needed improvements to the Fremont, Green Lake, Madrona-Sally Goldmark, Magnolia, Queen Anne, University, and West Seattle libraries.
• Relocate the Wallingford-Wilmot and Holly Park libraries in new community centers.
• Finance new furnishings, technology, and collections at all neighborhood libraries.
• Nearly double the total area of neighborhood libraries from 130,000 square feet to 237,000 square feet by the year 2007.
• Create a $6 million "Opportunity Fund" to address new neighborhood needs as they arise over the next decade.
• Spend $945,000 to purchase books and materials for 3 new neighborhood libraries.

Each community will be consulted and closely involved in making the final siting and/or design discussions affecting its neighborhood library. The library system will also strengthen its partnership with the Seattle Public Schools and other educational institutions to ensure that children and older students benefit directly from these investments.

A Plan to Lay a New Foundation for the Future

The Central Library in downtown Seattle is the physical and functional foundation of the entire library system. The present building, which dates from 1960, is woefully inadequate to meet the demands of 4,000 daily visitors or to support the service and circulation needs of neighborhood libraries. Based on a thorough analysis and public review of alternative sites, this plan recommends construction of a new and expanded Central Library at its present location in downtown Seattle.

The new Central Library would open in 2003 and feature:

• 355,000 square feet of usable space, compared to the present 206,000 square feet
• A new entry to better welcome and orient visitors
• Reorganized and expanded collections in all departments
• Modern computer and telecommunication services and equipment
• Efficient staff and operational areas to speed library services
• New centers for children, adult readers, and technology education
• A 275-seat auditorium for library programs and community meetings
• Parking for 200 vehicles

The "Libraries for All" plan projects that construction of the new Central Library will cost $119 million. Additional related costs, such as temporary relocation during construction and new equipment and furniture, raise the total Central Library budget to $156,062,570. This estimate takes full account of projected inflation rates through 2003.

Actual design of the new Central Library would be initiated following a public vote on the "Libraries for All" plan. The Mayor and City Librarian are committed to involving the world's best architects and the entire community in a great civic discussion to ensure that Seattle's new Central Library will be a building of enduring usefulness and pride for all.

A Plan for a Renewed Community Commitment to Libraries

The "Libraries for All" plan outlines a total community capital expenditure of $234,638,570 over the next decade. The Seattle Public Library Foundation, a non- profit community organization, has pledged to raise $25 million toward this sum from private and philanthropic donors. The Foundation has further committed to raise an additional $15 million to help modernize the Library's collections and technology resources.

Adding projected bond transaction costs of $4 million and subtracting the Foundation capital commitment of $25 million and another $18 million in available or anticipated public resources, yields a net public bond requirement of $195.5 million, which we propose be put before the voters this fall. Financing these bonds would cost the average Seattle homeowner about $70 annually, or less than $6 per month.

Building new libraries would be an empty gesture if citizens found them closed when they needed them. The "Libraries for All" plan also recommends that hours at virtually all libraries be increased, and it calls for a commitment to raising operating budgets correspondingly.

For a city of readers, "Libraries for All" represents a commitment that is both fiscally sound and faithful to our tradition of support for education, the arts, cultural diversity, economic innovation, and neighborhood vitality. Its budget and ambitions are neither extravagant nor timid. This plan seeks to avoid the "penny-wise" decisions that have created Seattle's sad assortment of "pound-foolish" public buildings.