Anonymous Patron writes, from the Seattle Post- Intelligencer,
"This week, Seattle hosts the Public Library Association’s national conference. More than 8,000 librarians, exhibitors, trustees and library advocates will gather in a city that values and supports public libraries. The conference provides a forum for discussing issues ranging from recruitment of candidates into our ranks to leveraging new technologies to finding innovative and creative approaches to best serve our communities.
Across the nation, public libraries are thriving as community destinations and places of opportunity.
The Seattle Public Library system is expanding and replacing branches, as well as constructing a new Central Library to grow along with our community. The new library will hold up to 1.4 million books and materials. The 11 floors provide special areas for children and young adults, an auditorium and a new socially interactive space we call the “living room.””
drastic cuts for the King County Library System?
“Also impacted by drastic cuts, King County must put a bond measure on the ballot this year to sustain operations.”
As an employee of KCLS, I can say that there were a few cuts but “drastic” is not the reality. KCLS is in much better shape than Seattle Public, which has to fight for dollars with other city departments. For instance, KCLS didn’t shut its doors for two weeks or cut any open hours for branches. The upcoming bond measure that KCLS intends to float would be for capital construction and remodeling of existing branches. A year ago KCLS tried to pass the same bond measure but it failed to get the 60% required and operations have sustained quite nicely despite this!
Seattle Public Library Funding
What a crock! Seattle may be building new library branches and the new Main branch- which is millions of dollars over estimate. But the book budget has been cut drastically and employess have to take two unpaid vacations a year. Seattle does not value its libraries enough to fully fund them. Mayor Greg Nickels has severly cut the library’s funding. This PR is all show- as soon as the conventioneers leave- Seattle will go back to ignoring/destroying the Seattle Public Library- which was once valued and grand.