Spokane Public Library seeks additional city funding to avoid service cuts

SPOKANE, Wash. — The Spokane Public Library may have to cut its hours and programs if the city can’t provide more funding, with officials requesting an extra $1.3 million each year for the next three years.

The library is looking at a deficit of several million dollars by 2028 if the city doesn’t increase its funding. Executive Director Andrew Chanse says the library is spending its reserve funding to keep all programming, but that’s not sustainable.

“Our budget request is needed to keep our operations intact. It’s a very lean budget for our level of service. We need this to keep our promise, both the library’s and the council’s, to our taxpayers and voters intact,” Chanse said.

The library’s executive director says they may have to close the central branch one day per week if the budget isn’t resolved.

The library department says its costs continue to rise, but the amount they receive from the city has stayed the same.

City Council members say they don’t want the library to lose any programs or hours, but the city is dealing with its own budget shortfall. Councilman Zack Zappone says they will look to come up with $600,000 to $800,000 in funding if possible.

“I feel like we’re hearing a lot from the community that there’s broad support for wanting to maintain our services at the library. I don’t know if it’s true that all council members have that same priority,” Zappone said.

Library users are worried about how the budget issues could affect them and the programs they use regularly. Library users say having access to the library and having programs available to them are what’s most important.

Mark Hamlin, a library user, emphasized the community value of the services.

“The library in general is extremely important and the services, all the services that are provided. There’s a lot of people that are in great need of having a library for respite,” Hamlin said.

The library’s current levy expires after 2027, and it’s expecting to triple the amount they asked for when they put the next levy on the ballot.

The City Council hasn’t made any decisions yet on whether the library will get the funding it’s asking for. Even if the increase in funding is approved, the library says it will face a budget deficit in 2028.