17 Replies to "Happening tonight: Public hearing on proposed library levy"

• Diane April 3, 2012 (6:11 pm)

  packed house in council chambers, very good to see

• bailecyclist April 3, 2012 (6:56 pm)

  Yes, from me.

• Tuesday April 3, 2012 (8:12 pm)

  It would be interesting to know how often most people go to the public library.

  Also, when can we stop supporting the Port of Seattle with property tax? If I was forced to choose, I’d much rather support the library. Taxing people to support the Port is ridiculous.

• Illiterate April 3, 2012 (9:26 pm)

  I haven’t gone near a library in years, and would rather clean out a septic than read a book. But even I will vote for the library levy. It’s just nice knowing its there, in case I get artsy all the sudden.

• kumalavula April 3, 2012 (9:32 pm)

  the city of seattle has a remarkable library collection at both spl and king co libraries. we need to support these institutions via levies so that members of our community can continue to access reading materials, cd’s, videos, books on tape, digital books as well as all the other vital resources available. it might not be until you make a comparison with public libraries in other cities/areas of the country, but take it from a teacher: these entities help educate our citizens!!!!

• Tuesday April 3, 2012 (9:55 pm)

  Maybe the levy would only have to be 10 million if we didn’t include funds for videos and books on tape. Unless, of course, VCRs and Walkmans are also provided. :)

  But in all seriousness, I’d like to see a detailed breakdown of what 17 million would be used for annually. Most of what I read in the “more info” link seems pretty vague. I’d also like to know what role the union representing library employees is playing in all of this. How much of this is just labor cost increases to existing contracts? I’m not saying I’m against supporting libraries, just that we should go in knowing full well what is being requested… not just voting for a levy because we like the idea of libraries.

• wondering April 3, 2012 (11:24 pm)

  I’d love to support a library levy. Seems to me that libraries are more important now then they were when we built and expanded the system. The public spent good money building the library system with the future in mind and I’m happy to protect our investment by voting yes when it comes to our ballots. It’s about time the public was invited to support these libraries. It’s been a heartbreak to watch our investment decline or be shuttered.

• JD April 4, 2012 (6:08 am)

  Looks like another no vote on my ballot. Levies are not needed and these institutions should be working with the budget provided to them. If they want more private donations should be solicited. Like everyone else who’s budget has been slashed in the last few years nothing wrong with the government having to work within a lower budget as well.

• marty April 4, 2012 (7:54 am)

  Since library usage is down because of the Internet you would think costs would be going down instead of up. With our present economy, the library sysyem needs to learn to live with what it already has. Other government agencies need to do the same…

• flynlo April 4, 2012 (10:14 am)

  At least we’re getting a chance to vote on the levy. When was the last time that we got to vote on a Port of Seattle levy?

• bolo April 4, 2012 (11:01 am)

  Marty, your perception of library usage is opposite of mine; I’m seeing higher library usage currently than since before the ’90s. What are you basing your statement on? Are you basing it on actual visits to libraries? Which one(s)?

• boy April 4, 2012 (11:17 am)

  The library, schools,police,911 response,firedepartment city streets,parks, should never be on a levey. That is what our property tax is for. None of the things should ever be in jeapordy. The levey system should be used for all other city spending. Like drunk tanks downton, homeless shelters,and all other social programs. Our property taxes are there to make sure that the basic needs are taken care of. If the people want more then have a levey. Or round up all the people want a levey for some wired project and let them just pay for right then. Oh I forgot seattle liberals don’t want to use there money they want yours. Everybody is liberal till they reach for there wallet.

• datamuse April 4, 2012 (4:58 pm)

  Since library usage is down because of the Internet you would think costs would be going down instead of up.

  That sounds like an assertion to me, marty. Prove it.

  (As it happens, I work in a library, though not a public one. Our usage has increased, in terms of resource use and numbers of people through the door, every year since I started there seven years ago.)

• carlton April 4, 2012 (6:52 pm)

  i frequent the library only once a month, but it is a day shelter for homeless folks i have noticed.

• G April 4, 2012 (8:16 pm)

  We can reduce a few hours rather than increase property taxes – I already pay enough prop taxes and I suspect others share my opinion.

  We’ll adjust and survive; not the end of the world.

• datamuse April 5, 2012 (10:54 am)

  It’s a public space, Carlton. Oddly enough, “the public” includes the homeless.

• Rick April 5, 2012 (12:29 pm)

  Sure, it’s a public space, but what is it’s intended use and actual use? It has become what it has and all the rhetoric won’t change that. “Homeless” has become the new Seattle coffee. I’m as sympathetic as the next guy but when you shove it down my throat and tax me for it my views change. Get out your checkbook data and leave mine the hell alone.

Sorry, comment time is over.