Seattle Public Library - Libraries for All, Capital Plan, Introduction

Introduction

Libraries for All
1998 Capital Plan
for the
Seattle Public Library

Submitted March 13, 1998

The "Libraries for All" Proposed 1998 Capital Plan for the Seattle Public Library is the product of thousands of hours of staff and volunteer effort and public discussion, but is not the last word. Mayor Paul Schell and I submit this plan for your review with the expectation of further refinement through citizen comment.

"Libraries for All" is not a reheated version of the 1994 library plan. After a narrow defeat of the $155 million library bond measure at the polls, the Seattle Public Library Board of Trustees and staff returned to the drawing board and asked the community for fresh input. The outcome, we believe, is a better plan that:

Nearly doubles the program area of neighborhood libraries from 130,000 square feet to 237,000 square feet
Proposes improvements to all 22 existing neighborhood libraries, compared to nine in the earlier plan
Builds three completely new libraries
Expands seven neighborhood libraries, compared to three in the earlier plan
Replaces six neighborhood libraries, compared to three in the earlier plan
Proposes a more compact and efficient Central Library of 355,000 square feet, compared to 410,000 square feet in the earlier plan
Invests $5.6 million in new technologies, compared to minimum equipment upgrades described in the previous plan
Proposes necessary increases in operating budgets and private sector support
Makes more realistic and reliable financial projects

As a result, "Libraries for All" proposes a higher bond issue total $196.4 million - but it also does much more than the 1994 plan. We sincerely welcome your comments and suggestions in refining this plan and helping assure Seattle citizens will enjoy "Libraries for All" in the 21st century.

Deborah Jacobs, City Librarian