On August 5, 2025, rural Whatcom County residents will vote on Library Levy Proposition 2025-02. The Board of Trustees seeks to restore the levy rate to $0.42/$1000. They have been operating under the same levy lid since 2009, while the number of people they serve and operating costs have significantly increased. The library system’s expenses now exceed annual revenues. If the levy rate is not restored, the library will need to cut services and eliminate staff positions.
What can we do?
Individuals residing in Bellingham who are not participating in the voting process can still contribute, like those living in the county, by sharing information about the levy. Discuss the importance of libraries with friends and family, write letters to editors, and share the League's view on the role of libraries in democracy.
League Position Statements
You can share these league position statements when sharing why libraries are an important investment for our community:
- Emphasis on a well-informed society to uphold democracy.
- Support for early childhood education and care.
- Increase educational opportunities for all ages.
- Advocacy for early intervention and prevention measures for children.
- Promotion of informed citizen participation in government.
- Encouragement of closer ties between schools and social services for child readiness to learn.
- Recognition of public education, including library services, as fundamental to a democratic society.
Libraries support all those positions.
Check out our website for more details on the Library Levy Proposition 2025-02.
The campaign promoting the levy is led by Yes! Whatcom Libraries. More information can be found on their website,
yeswhatcomlibraries.org.
