At the end of 2025, I reached out with an urgent message regarding the library’s budget shortfall for this year. The community stepped up, and through your support, the City Council approved funding to cover expenses for this year alone. However, as I mentioned at the time, this was a temporary solution.
We are again facing insufficient funding from the City of Spokane’s general fund in 2027. If this happens, it will result in library service cuts to the public. Over the next two months, in partnership with the Library Board of Trustees, City Council, and City Administration, we are evaluating the financial outlook for Spokane Public Library and identifying potential service cuts. If we receive insufficient funding from the general fund, there will be reductions in service, hours, and staff.
At a special meeting with the Board today (July 9), I outlined the possible funding scenarios and the potential impacts on library service and staff if the library sees those cuts to the 2027 budget. (You can see a recording of that meeting here.)
Current State (2025 & 2026)
- Due to years of insufficient general fund allocation from the City, Spokane Public Library has taken significant steps to reduce expenses in response to rising costs and insufficient funding. The library has maintained most vacated positions, restricted travel, reduced collection spending by $150,000, and delayed major equipment and capital purchases to responsibly work with the City and budget situation. The library faces a major shortfall in 2027 and is asking the City of Spokane for a $2.3 million bridge funding, at minimum, for 2027 to recoup from that shortfall. If the library does not receive bridge funding it will result in service impacts of level 3 shortfall, outlined below.
Level 1 Shortfall: Budget Gap of $400,000-$500,000
- Branch closures: Sunday closures at all locations, Monday closures at Central Library
- Staff Impact: 3.5 full-time employees (FTE) + temp seasonal staff reduction
- Outreach: 10% reduction in service to senior and daycare facilities
- Collection: Additional $250,000 reduction in the purchasing of books and materials
Level 2 Shortfall: Budget Gap of $1.5 million
- Branch closures: Sunday and Monday closures at all library locations, hours reduced to 9am-5pm.
- Staff Impact: Additional 13.5 FTE (+3.5 from level 1 shortfall, making 17 total) + temp seasonal staff reduction
- Outreach: 50% reduction in service to senior and daycare facilities
- Collection: Additional $450,000 reduction in the purchasing of books and materials
Level 3 Shortfall: Budget Gap of $2.5-$3 million
- Branch closures: Sunday and Monday closures at all locations, hours reduced to 9am-5pm, Central Library also closed Saturdays
- Staff Impact: Additional 6.5 FTE (23.5 total) + temp seasonal staff reduction
- Outreach: 50% reduction in service to senior and daycare facilities
- Collection: Additional $100,000 reduction in the purchasing of materials, collection becomes primarily digital
If the overall budget gap is $2.5-$3 million the cumulative community impact will be major reductions in library hours, programming (-40%), collection (-$950k), public spaces, and service availability. Weekly public access reduced by 126 hours.
Next Steps
Our goals in this process are to preserve public service, minimize impacts on employees, and make decisions transparently with respect for staff, patrons, and partners.
To avoid significant cuts and protect our community’s investment in the library system, we need City Council and City Administration to fully fund the library’s $2.3 million shortfall. The situation is urgent, and we need this financial commitment by early August. Without it, the library could be forced to make significant service reductions as early as September.
Share your support of sufficient library funding by contacting your City Council person (contact information can be found here), Mayor Lisa Brown ([email protected]), and copy [email protected] and [email protected]. City Council meets on Wednesdays at City Hall at 6:00pm.
Spokane Public Library has always been one of the city’s most trusted and beloved institutions—but that legacy now depends on sufficient funding for the services voters have repeatedly said they value.
At our next two board meetings, the board of trustees will continue to examine our strategic options and a path forward. Here are those dates:
- 7/21/26 – Board of Trustees Regular Meeting to review service impacts | The Hive, 4:30pm
- 8/18/26 – Board of Trustees Regular Meeting with possible board action on service impacts | South Hill, 4:30pm
Note: Spokane County Library District (SCLD) is a separate system from Spokane Public Library. The levy on the August ballot is for SCLD, and how you vote has no impact on the Spokane Public Library budget.
Andrew Chanse, Spokane Public Library Executive Director
