What is the Library Levy?

  • Proposition 1 for Seattle voters.
  • On the ballot due August 4, 2026.
  • Voters vote yes or no on a property tax measure, which replaces an expiring Library Levy approved in 2019.
  • The measure asks for $479.76 million over seven years, from 2027 through 2033.

Why should I vote for the Levy?

The Library is an essential public service.

  • It is one of the most-used and most-loved institutions in our city. 
  • More popular than ever – the Library just set a record for active patrons with 430,000.
  • Used by people of all ages and all backgrounds in every neighborhood.

The Levy makes up more than one-third of the Library’s budget.

  • Levy funding touches every part of the organization, including a quarter of staff.
  • Keeps up with increased costs and demand from our growing and diverse population. 
  • Failure to pass the Levy would be devastating; likely causing a combination of branch closures, hours reductions, and staff layoffs.

The Levy expands popular programs and collections.

  • Adds more physical and digital resources, including expanding Peak Picks into e-books.
  • Expands programs for English learners.
  • Ensures skilled staffing to operate programs at more branches across the city.

The Levy invests in Library buildings, which are neighborhood cornerstones across the city.

  • Upgrades safety and accessibility, including seismic retrofits to the Columbia and West Seattle branches and a major renovation to the Central Library.
  • Most libraries are now 20+ years old, requiring greater maintenance.

The Levy increases access to education and knowledge at a time when it is under attack.

  • The Library is critical for fighting censorship and misinformation and protecting democracy.
  • The Library is committed to free and equal access to information for everyone. 
  • Access to books should be promoted, not reduced.

The Levy contributes to Seattle’s affordability.

  • Free books and services at the Library are the foundation of an affordable city.
  • The Library estimates that every dollar put into collections returns more than $16 in value for residents.
  • Sharing a book through the Library is a fraction of the cost of purchasing a book privately. On average, Library e-books and e-audiobooks borrowed through OverDrive cost less than a dollar per checkout.
  • The Urban Libraries Council estimates that the Library provides more than $8 million in value every year for Seattle’s small businesses.
  • Free skill-building programs at the Library lead to significant career opportunities for patrons that help fuel our local economy.

What does the Levy fund over seven years?

The 2026 Levy is divided into four major categories:

  • Hours & Access (Programs + People) – $229.1 million
  • Buildings & Maintenance (Places) – $134.1 million
  • Collections (Books) – $69.4 million
  • Technology & Administrative Infrastructure (Systems) – $47.2 million

What will the Levy do for hours, access, and programming?

  • The Levy expands the Library’s capacity for all ages programming.
    • Expands children’s programs like Story Time and Play & Learn.
    • Expands programs focused on skill-building, education, and enrichment for teens, adults, and seniors.
    • Protects and expands programs for immigrants and English learners.
  • Increases access to Library programs by broadcasting on the Seattle Channel.
  • Supports belonging for everyone with more social services and security staffing.

What branches will benefit?

  • Levy funding is flexible to allow the Library to meet neighborhood needs over the next seven years, with the potential for all neighborhoods to benefit.
  • All Library locations benefit from Levy funding. The Library assesses program locations based on audience, demographics, nearby services, branch capacity, and other factors. 

What will the Levy do for buildings and maintenance?

  • The Levy ensures Library spaces remain safe, clean, and welcoming for generations to come.
  • Libraries are aging. The newest branches turn 20 this year while the oldest near 120. 
  • Improves safety and accessibility, including elevator upgrades and ADA improvements.
  • Includes retrofit projects for the Columbia and West Seattle branches that preserve historic libraries while making them earthquake safe, climate resilient, and accessible.
  • Supports the renovation of heavily used spaces at the iconic Central Library.

What will the Levy do for collections?

  • Seattle checks out about 24 Library books every minute.
  • The Levy allows the Library to keep up with growing demand and escalating costs for books, especially digital books.
    • Since the pandemic, more readers prefer digital books (57% of all checkouts).
    • Even with digital growth, print book checkouts continue to increase as well.
  • Due to pricing controls in the publishing industry, digital books cost libraries 3-5 times more than print books. 
  • Increasing investments in collections will reduce hold times and respond to patron needs.
  • The Levy preserves the popular Peak Picks program and expands it into e-books.

What will the Levy do for technology and administrative infrastructure?

  • The Levy protects the Library’s essential role in digital equity, providing free access to technology for everyone.
  • Computers, printing, Wi-Fi hotspots are funded by the Levy and essential for education, information, job searches, and much more. 
  • The Levy will upgrade the Library’s defenses against cyberattacks like the one that occurred in 2024.

How much will the 2026 Levy cost taxpayers?

  • According to the Seattle City Budget Office, the Levy’s annual cost for an average homeowner is about $16 per month, or an average of $193 per year.
  • This is based on an average annual tax rate for homeowners of $0.23 per $1,000 of assessed home value, and an average assessed residential value of approximately $840,000.

How much of an increase is the 2026 Levy over the previous one?

  • The 2019 Levy cost the average homeowner $7 per month, or an average of $84 per year.
  • The 2026 Levy will be about a $9 monthly average increase.
    • $9 per month is the same cost as a monthly subscription to Audible.
    • $9 is about half the cost of a paperback book.
    • $9 is about one-third the cost of a hardcover book.

What impact will the Levy have on property taxes?

  • Property taxes will increase from $2.96 per $1,000 of assessed value to $3.07. 
  • With this rate, Library services represent just 7.5% of overall City property taxes.
  • Exemptions to this tax are available to seniors and people with disabilities. 

Why has the Levy more than doubled since the previous one?

  • The 2019 Levy was $219 million. 
  • The 2026 Levy is $479.76 million. But 71% of that amount, $340 million, is the cost to carry forward the same services funded by the 2019 Levy, accounting for inflation and budget offsets and projected out over the next 7 years.
  • The 29% new funding expands programs, keeps up with the rising costs of e-book usage (which exploded during COVID), and supports the buildings as they age. 
    • While it is true that the overall amount of the total levy has more than doubled, it is unfair to compare costs from the last 7 years to the costs for next 7 years. 
    • As an analogy, you will not be able to buy a car or a house in 2033 for the same price you paid in 2019. We should expect and thoughtfully plan for cost increases. The Levy does that.
  • Accounting for inflation and budget offsets, Levy-funded services are expected to increase by 41% over 2019. According to government data, overall prices in the Seattle area went up 33% between 2019 and 2026 – with continued increases expected over the next 7 years. 

Is there oversight over how Levy funds are used?

  • Yes! The independent Library Board of Trustees directs a thorough oversight process. 
  • The Library produces quarterly and annual Levy reports to the public. 
  • The Seattle City Council receives regular presentations on Levy progress and has publicly praised the Library for its Levy oversight.
  • The Library has a strong track record of transparent spending that meets Levy commitments. Variations have only occurred due to City budget cuts or major events like the 2020 pandemic and 2024 cyberattack.

Why can’t this money be raised elsewhere?

  • The Library is one of five public services named in the City of Seattle’s charter. It is the city’s responsibility to fund The Seattle Public Library.
  • 95% of the Library budget is funded through city taxes from the General Fund and the Levy. The Library’s share of the General Fund has remained flat, or been reduced, in most recent budgets. Currently, the Levy is the primary mechanism to expand Library services to keep up with costs and demand.
  • While The Seattle Public Library Foundation is an important partner, private philanthropy can only enhance – never replace – local sources of funding.

What happens if the Levy does not pass?

  • More than one-third of the Library’s funding will disappear. 
  • Library staff jobs will be lost. 
  • Branches will close or see significantly reduced hours.
  • Half of the budget for books and materials will be cut, significantly increasing hold times, decreasing the range of reading options, and eliminating Peak Picks.