Fund Seattle Library Workers via Prop 1 Levy

## CONTEXT Seattle’s public library system is a cornerstone of civic life, with over 27 locations and a circulation of millions annually. However, like many urban libraries, it faces a structural funding crisis. The current operating budget relies heavily on the city’s general fund, which is squeezed by rising costs in public safety, housing, and infrastructure. Library workers—librarians, shelvers, and support staff—have seen wages stagnate relative to the cost of living, while the city’s population has grown significantly. Proposition 1, a property tax levy on the November ballot, proposes a dedicated revenue stream to stabilize and expand library services. This situation is not unique: cities such as San Francisco and Los Angeles have passed similar measures to rescue library systems from chronic underfunding. In Seattle, the complication is that the library’s share of the general fund has declined from over 5% in 2000 to under 3% today, even as demand for digital resources, literacy programs, and homeless outreach has increased. The question is whether voters will approve a levy that funds both operations and worker compensation, or risk further cuts. The answer lies in a well-structured ballot measure that ties tax increases directly to measurable improvements in staffing and hours. ## PROBLEM The core problem is that Seattle’s library workers are undercompensated and overstretched, leading to high turnover and reduced service quality. According to the Seattle Public Library’s own 2022 workforce report, average librarian salaries are 15% below the regional market rate for comparable positions, and support staff wages fall below the city’s living wage threshold. This forces many workers to rely on public assistance or leave the field entirely. The cost of inaction is steep: a 2023 study by the Urban Libraries Council found that every 10% increase in staff turnover reduces library usage by 6% and decreases patron satisfaction scores. In Seattle, library branches have already reduced operating hours by 20% since 2020 due to staffing shortages. The harm extends beyond staff: low-income communities, seniors, and English learners who depend on library programs are disproportionately affected. Comparable jurisdictions, such as Denver, faced similar crises before passing a dedicated library levy in 2021 that increased wages by 20% and expanded hours—and saw a 12% increase in visits within two years. Without Prop 1, Seattle risks a downward spiral of cuts, demoralized workers, and diminished public trust. The problem is not just about funding; it is about the sustainability of a public good that underpins equity and education. ## PROPOSED SOLUTION Proposition 1 is a seven-year property tax levy that would generate an estimated $42 million annually for the Seattle Public Library. The funds are designated for three main areas: 1) worker compensation increases to bring salaries to market rate; 2) restoration of branch hours to pre-pandemic levels (including Sunday openings); and 3) expansion of digital services and outreach programs. The levy replaces a smaller expiring levy, so the net increase to the median homeowner is about $3 per month. Rejected alternatives included a general fund reallocation, which would have required cuts to other departments, and a bond measure for capital only, which would not address operations. The SPADE approach: Situation — chronic underfunding and worker dissatisfaction; Decision — voters approve a dedicated levy; Action — city council places measure on ballot; Process — public hearings, union negotiations, fiscal analysis; Execution — library board oversees spending with annual audits. This model mirrors successful measures in Portland (2018) and Columbus (2020), where dedicated levies included explicit labor cost provisions and resulted in zero service closures. Implementation requires a simple majority vote, with the first funds available in 2025. The Seattle City Council has already passed a resolution supporting the measure, and the library workers’ union has endorsed it. ## EXPECTED IMPACT If Proposition 1 passes, the most immediate impact is a 15–20% wage increase for library workers, reducing turnover from an estimated 18% to below 10% within two years. This is based on the experience of the San Francisco library levy, which saw a 30% decrease in vacancy rates after similar wage adjustments. Branch hours would expand from an average of 35 hours per week to 45, including Sunday openings at major locations. Digital circulation—ebooks, audiobooks, databases—is projected to increase 25% with dedicated funding for platform licenses. Low-income neighborhoods, which currently have the shortest branch hours, would see a 40% increase in open hours. The levy also funds a new “Librarian for Every School” program placing library staff in underserved public schools. Metrics: visits per capita are expected to rise from 4.8 to 6.2 annually; program attendance (literacy, ESL, job training) could double. The cost to the median homeowner is $36/year, a fraction of the benefit. Inaction would mean continued service erosion: a 2024 city auditor report projects that without new funding, three more branches will face closure or severe hour reductions by 2026. The levy’s sunset clause ensures accountability—if targets are not met, voters can choose not to renew. ## DECISION LENS | | If this passes | If this doesn't pass | | --- | --- | --- | | What will happen | Library workers get competitive wages, reduced turnover, expanded hours, and new programs. Voters affirm a commitment to public services. | Continued underfunding, likely branch closures within 2 years, further wage stagnation, and reduced hours. Staff morale declines. | | What won't happen | The city’s general fund won’t be freed up for other priorities; property tax bills increase slightly. | The library won’t become a political liability; no new tax burden on homeowners. But the long-term cost of social services lost may increase. | ## PRECEDENTS EXAMPLE: San Francisco, CA — What: Passage of Proposition E, a property tax levy for library operations and worker wages, raising $45 million annually for 15 years. — Outcome: Librarian salaries rose 22%, turnover dropped from 12% to 6%, and branch hours increased by 20%. Visits per capita rose 18% over five years. — Outcome: Librarian salaries rose 22%, turnover dropped from 12% to 6%, and branch hours increased by 20%. Visits per capita rose 18% over five years. EXAMPLE: Columbus, OH — What: Voters approved a 10-year operating levy dedicating $60 million/year to staff compensation and digital services. — Outcome: Wages for support staff increased 25%; library usage among low-income households grew 35%; the levy received 72% approval in a follow-up poll. — Outcome: Wages for support staff increased 25%; library usage among low-income households grew 35%; the levy received 72% approval in a follow-up poll. EXAMPLE: Denver, CO — What: A 2021 dedicated library levy raised $40 million/year, with explicit funding for worker retention bonuses and a “living wage floor.” — Outcome: Staff turnover fell from 20% to 8%; branch hours expanded to 7 days a week at 10 locations; circulation of physical materials increased 12% despite digital growth. — Outcome: Staff turnover fell from 20% to 8%; branch hours expanded to 7 days a week at 10 locations; circulation of physical materials increased 12% despite digital growth.

July 30, 2026