Vote ‘Yes’ For Libraries
On April 28, voters have the opportunity to approve a small levy increase for our Stevens Rural County Library District (SCRLD). This would be the first voter-approved levy increase since SCRLD was created 28 years ago. Over those decades, inflation has significantly outpaced the annual 1% revenue increases allowed without a vote. Despite demonstrating incredible creativity with grants and operational efficiencies, our libraries have been forced to cut programs, staffing, and hours to offset continuous budget shortfalls. This small increase in funding is desperately needed – there’s just no more blood in the turnip.
Our libraries are an exceptional value. Not just to us individually, but also as a critical investment that stays in our communities:
providing babies and toddlers with access to free books, storytimes, and songs, as well as opportunities to develop crucial fine motor and language skills;
helping ensure Kindergarten-readiness, so kids, families, and local school districts achieve academic success;
providing free high-speed internet;
offering free programs that allow patrons of all ages the chance to explore their interests and expand their knowledge.
If this levy is approved, a property owner with a residence valued at $200,000 would only pay an additional $3 per month. Is $3 dollars too high a cost to help improve an adult’s resume, a teenager’s job skills, or a 4-year-old’s Kindergarten-readiness? What will be the cost to our communities if we fail to make this investment?
Please keep our libraries and our communities strong: vote YES on April 28.