SPOKANE, Wash. — The Spokane Public Library warns that its services are at risk. The department stated that local libraries may soon have reduced hours and services due to funding shortfalls unless the city approves a 15% budget increase for Spokane Public Libraries.
The library system, which receives 82% of its funding from the city’s general fund, is warning that without the increase, patrons could face reduced hours, fewer programs and diminished collections across all branches.
“The services that they know and love from their city libraries are in danger,” said Andrew Chance, executive director of the Spokane Public Library.
The funding request comes after the library experienced a 5% decrease in its city allocation for 2025, following two years of flat funding in 2023 and 2024. Chance said the reduction caught his department off guard and forced immediate operational changes.
“We scrambled a little bit. This past year, we made some changes in our operating hours to be a little bit more financially responsible,” Chance said.
The library system has quietly managed budget constraints for years, but Chance said a funding increase is now essential to maintain current service levels. Without the requested 15% increase, the library faces around a $1 million shortfall for 2026.
“What we’re looking at right now is another flat allocation for 2026, which is a huge shortfall for the city libraries,” Chance said.
Chance warned the cuts would affect several aspects of library operations, including of decreased days of service, decreased hours and other decreased resources.
The prospect of reduced services concerns regular library users who view the facilities as essential community resources.
Sara Edlin-Marlowe, who visits the Shadle Park Library at least once a week, called it “a good community center for people that you see a lot of kids coming in today.”
The thought of service reductions alarmed Edlin-Marlowe, who has developed a strong connection to the library system.
“I think it would be criminal if they went away. I mean, I think the library is an amazing source,” she said.
Another patron, Lloyd Sanford, expressed support for the funding request.
“I think whenever they ask for more money, it’s actually always needed, no matter what it’s for,” Sanford said.
Chance said his department has operated efficiently despite funding constraints, but said the current situation requires immediate attention to prevent service disruptions that would affect the entire community.
Library officials hope the city will approve a 15% increase in the revision of its 2026 budget.
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