Thank you, Whatcom County voters!
We are so pleased to share the news that Proposition 2 was approved by a majority of voters and funding for the library services that our community depends upon is secure for the foreseeable future.
Having reliable, sustainable funding means WCLS staff can continue providing excellent, innovative library services across Whatcom County that help improve people’s lives. We’re proud of the work we do to inspire children with the joy of reading, introduce early literacy skills, and foster learning and critical thinking skills in children and teens. We love being a “third space” where adults can access resources to find jobs and enhance their careers, connect with neighbors, explore personal interests and hobbies, and find entertainment. We firmly believe in the power of sharing — and know that Whatcom County residents save millions by supporting and using their public libraries.
It has been a team effort leading up to the election and we are grateful for the work of many WCLS staff members to provide the information needed for voters to make sound decisions about library funding. We know that there were dozens of volunteers putting in many hours in support of Proposition 2 and we couldn’t be more grateful.
Thank you for understanding the value of libraries. We wouldn’t be here without your support, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to steward taxpayer resources wisely to provide the best library services possible.
What’s next: As indicated in our levy information materials, approval of the levy will enable WCLS to maintain current levels of staffing, open hours and services; continue supporting a robust collection of library materials, including physical and digital items, with minimal wait times and online/streaming resources; address deferred maintenance and facilities needs; and pursue opportunities for library building projects. In addition, we have been holding off on filling several recently vacated staff positions. Now, we can begin recruitment to return staffing and service to full strength. When they are ready, we will post job openings on the employment page of our website. Community members may also subscribe to our employment newsletter on this page. Thank you.
Stay in touch: We will share ongoing updates about the library budget and services in Explorations, our annual Community Report, social media (@wclslibraries on Facebook and Instagram) and at public meetings. Please follow along and be part of the library community.