Every day, Spokane residents rely on the library for job searches, homework help, internet access, a safe place to spend time, and more.
Spokane’s libraries are utilized more than ever—but funding isn’t keeping up. Without changes, residents will see reduced hours, fewer programs, and possible branch closures.
In 2025, more than 1.3 million visits were made to our seven branches. Our meeting spaces were used for nearly 100,000 hours by students, small businesses, and community groups, and over 1.2 million books and eBooks were checked out.
This level of use reflects how essential the library has become but it also comes with rising costs. Staffing, utilities, digital materials, and maintaining safe, modern buildings are all becoming more expensive each year.
How the Library is Funded
Most of the library’s funding comes from the City of Spokane, with additional support from a voter-approved property tax levy. In 2025, the library operated on a $14.2 million budget.
The City’s General Fund contribution to the library is $9.3M. This is the library’s primary source (67%) of funding that pays for day-to-day operations like staffing, hours, collections, and programs.
The amount is set each year by the Mayor and City Council. In 2025, it made up just 3.5% of the city’s $268M budget—and was reduced by $487K (5%) after remaining flat for the previous two years.
The Levy is a voter-approved property tax that directly supports library services. It contributes 18% of the library budget, or a total of $2.5M. Voters approved this tax in 2013, 2017, and 2024. For the owner of a median-priced home in Spokane ($418,000), this amounts to about $28 per year. The current levy expires in 2027.
Other funding sources:
- Bonds: A $77 million bond, approved by voters in 2018, funded the construction and renovation of all of our current library buildings. These funds could only be used for facilities—not operations—and have now been fully spent. All promised projects have been completed and are heavily utilized by the community.
- Friends, Foundation, and Grants (0.8%): Community partners contribute a small but meaningful portion of funding. In 2025, this totaled $128,534. We are grateful for their support.
- Reserves (Savings): When funding falls short, the library uses reserves to fill the gap. In 2025, $1.8M was used to maintain our level of service. At the current rate, these reserves will be depleted by 2027.
Together, these funding sources are no longer keeping pace with the cost of maintaining current library services.
What We’ve Cut
Like many households, the library has already reduced spending and made difficult choices to stay within budget—while working to limit the impact on the community.
So far, these changes have included:
- Reducing or eliminating select services and subscriptions
- Scaling back the number of items available to borrow
- Leaving positions unfilled when staff resign or retire
- Delaying technology and vehicle replacements
- Limiting staff travel and training
- Adjusting hours to reduce staffing costs
Many of these changes have not been highly visible—but they have already reduced what the library can offer. These steps are not enough to close the gap. Without additional funding, deeper and more visible cuts will be necessary.
What’s at Risk
If funding doesn’t increase, these impacts are likely:
- Branch closures
- Reduced library hours
- Staff layoffs
- Fewer programs and services
- Fewer materials to borrow
These changes would directly affect access to library services across Spokane—especially for those who rely on them most.
Delivering Library Vision
Even within financial constraints, the library continues to evolve and focus on our vision for the future. Demand remains high for services such as meeting spaces, digital resources, technology access, and lifelong learning opportunities.
We are dedicated to delivering on our library vision, even if it is on a reduced scale. Maintaining the level of service Spokane residents rely on will require community support, sustainable funding, and ongoing commitment from City leadership.
— Andrew Chanse, Executive Director, Spokane Public Library
For more information on how Spokane Public Library compares to other libraries, read this post.
