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Agenda Item
11. Update and possible direction to staff regarding preparation of Fiscal Year 2026 budget for consideration by the entire Board at the May 20, 2025 public hearing on the FY2026 budget. Finance. (All Commission Districts.) FOR POSSIBLE ACTION
Washoe County Library System (WCLS) is at a critical point.
•WC1 did not pass. This Expansion Fund (EF) and was intended to support expansion of libraries and capital improvements.
•During a financial challenge in 2009-2016, BCC directed WCLS to use EF to support staff salaries and other operating expenses
•EF continues to support expansion, capital improvements, and operations. Currently, 23 staff are supported by EF budget ($2.5M), as well as books and tech of ~$2M.
•The General Fund (GF) budget of $12.5M supports 101.5 staff ($11.6M) and all other services/supplies ($1.2M).
•NOTE: Information on WCLS budget came from reports of former Dir Scott to the Library Board of Trustees (LBOT) at many meetings and in written reports. He used this information to inform LBOT of options for cuts with the failure of WC1.
•Total current budget for WCLS is 1.29% of the Washoe County Budget (.95% GF; .34% EF), per WC Checkbook
•Staff report recommends flat funding for WCLS for FY26, using funds remaining in EF and allocating $1.3M from GF. Staff also recommends LBOT and BCC work together to provide an updated service delivery model and financial needs by 10/1/2025 for the FY27 budget process.
• 4/16/2025, Jeff Scott resigned as Director of WCLS, a huge loss WCLS at a time when his expertise is needed to develop an updated delivery service model that recognizes needs of public for library services and the reality of the financial situation.
The above facts inform my opinions and comments.
I urge you to accept the staff’s recommendation to flat fund WCLS for FY26 and to assign at least one Commissioner to work with LBOT and WCLS staff to develop an updated service delivery model and financial needs. Elimination of IMLS funding will further stress WCLS. And, there will now not be dedicated funding for capital maintenance, so GF will have to support both operations and capital maintenance.
Our libraries are one of the last places open to all people, offering valuable services and programs, at no entry fee. Many people have come before BCC to explain the services they, their families, and their organizations use and value. WC libraries are true community centers. This is exactly the time we should be investing in WCLS.
I recommend that the Commissioners vote to approve continued funding for the Washoe County Library system. Without the $1.3 million needed, the libraries will not be able to perform their vital function to our whole community - that is providing up to date materials and resources in the form of staff to assist patrons with finding books and other materials and in using digital and other resources that should be available in any modern-day library system. Any lack in funding for books, materials and staff will make of fabulous Washoe County Library System less accessible and useful to our community for education and entertainment. Loss of adequate funding will deprive our thriving and growing community of an essential resource which cannot be duplicated for all in either the private sector or in our educational systems. A Library System without adequate books and staff ceases to be a true library for all to enjoy and benefit from. Please keep the Washoe County Library System fully funded so that the people in Washoe County can remain able to rely on its essential services. Thank you, Kate Whitfield
Due to the elimination of federal funding to the Nevada State Library, Archives and Public Records, Washoe County Libraries are now at risk of losing access to critical subscription databases that were previously provided at no direct cost to the county. These include EBSCO, ABC-CLIO, LearningExpress, World Book, and TeachingBooks—tools that are used daily by students, educators, homeschool families, and lifelong learners. I am writing as a concerned, taxpaying citizen to strongly urge the allocation of an additional $1.3 million to ensure these services are preserved. The last date of service for these databases is June 30, 2025.These resources are more than academic—they are foundational to digital equity and educational access in our county. Without them, thousands of patrons will lose reliable, high-quality tools that support literacy, research, and career development. Now that state-level purchasing is no longer an option, these costs fall entirely on local systems like ours. Additionally, the future of the federally administered E-Rate program is unclear. This program helps libraries and schools afford internet access, provided they comply with the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA), which requires strong filtering systems to protect minors. That infrastructure—software, hardware, and staff—costs money. If E-Rate funding is lost, maintaining filtered access may become unaffordable.Libraries are essential community resources, especially for those without access elsewhere. As both state and federal supports disappear, it is now up to local leadership to step in. I understand that this information may not have been fully presented, especially in light of the adversarial relationship between the Washoe County Library Board and its former director. However, the situation is urgent. The requested $1.3 million is not just a budget line—it represents the continued access to education, opportunity, and trusted information for all.
The 1.3 million for our washoe libraries is a good thing! Please vote to find our libraries where maybe county citizens use their resources daily. From internet access to toddler story time our libraries and librarians support a wide array of our population. Thank you for your consideration.
Please allocate the 1.3 million or more to the libraries. These dynamic institutions are very important community centers with resources for all citizens in the county which can be accessed for free if you have a library card. Programs include helping seniors use technology which includes their phones and the Libby app to access audio books or magazines; after school learning experiences; family story-times even on Saturdays; and job application assistance. Half the population voted Yes to keep predictable library funding. Plenty of people were confused with the wording which was from 30 years ago. Now this becomes a yearly event for a critical part of the budget...materials. Please keep Washoe County Libraries funded at a level to maintain what we have. Creative, efficient employees, who welcome everyone, have worked so hard to create these dynamic places for free educational use by the community. Libraries show cases the best of the entire region. Not using the library, wake-up! It is never too late to become more educated.
Libraries are a fantastic use of our county's limited resources, and one that will contribute to our community's ongoing success by allowing a greater portion of our population to be better educated and have the skills necessary to meaningfully contribute to our community. I support the $1.3 million allocation from the general fund to the library. While this is still a drop in funding from last year's budget including the expansion fund allocation, it does go some way to alleviate some of the reduction in services that the non-renewal of that allocation will cause. I would like to see an allocation to the library higher than the $1.3 million, but that does not seem realistic at this point. It seems to me that this funding proposal is a bare minimum for maintaining a functioning library system that can reasonably serve all Washoe County residents, but particularly lower income residents, who avail themselves of library services to educate and better themselves.
The 1.3 million that has been allocated to the library is crucial to maintain the budget for library materials and staff to maintain hours. Without it, there will not be new materials on our library shelves or ebooks/eaudiobooks on Libby and there will be a staff education, which will force the library to cut hours. Failure to support this funding will be devastating for all citizens, but especially our seniors, school age children, and job seekers. Supporting lifelong learning is the key to a successful, healthy community for years to come.
As a resident and engaged member of Washoe County, I respectfully urge the Board to prioritize funding that ensures our public libraries continue operating without service reductions.
Libraries are far more than book-lenders, they are essential institutions serving residents of all ages and backgrounds. In a society where access to technology, education, and reliable information is critical, libraries are more vital than ever.
The Washoe County Library System is a cornerstone of lifelong learning, digital access, and community connection. Libraries provide safe after-school environments for children, job-seeking resources for the unemployed, social opportunities for seniors, and vital support for students. From early literacy programs to free internet access, our libraries bridge equity gaps and create opportunity.
The impact is immeasurable: families rely on library programming to support child development; entrepreneurs and small business owners use library tools to grow; and veterans and unhoused individuals find critical information and community within their walls. Investing in libraries strengthens our community’s foundation.
Reduced funding (leading to shorter hours, staff cuts, and fewer programs) directly undermines these essential services. In challenging times, libraries are one of the first places people turn for support. Keeping them open, well-staffed, and resourced reflects our shared commitment to community well-being.
Moreover, libraries offer one of the highest returns on public investment. Studies show every dollar spent yields broad social and economic benefits, from literacy and workforce development to civic engagement.
Washoe County has long championed public services and quality of life. Continuing full support for our libraries aligns with strategic goals of resilient neighborhoods and economic prosperity.
I trust you share the vision of a thriving, informed, and inclusive Washoe County. Please protect our libraries from funding cuts and preserve their ability to serve all residents. Let us ensure access to knowledge and community remains available to everyone—through the open doors of our public libraries.
Thank you for your service and thoughtful leadership.
Public libraries are vital cornerstones of communities and essential to public education. They provide free, equitable access to information, technology, and learning resources for people of all ages, backgrounds, and income levels. For many, especially those in underserved or rural areas, libraries are the only places to access books, computers, internet, and educational tools.
Libraries support lifelong learning. Children benefit from storytimes, homework help, and summer reading programs that combat learning loss. Teens use libraries for study groups, tutoring, and safe spaces to explore ideas. Adults can pursue GEDs, job training, or simply feed their curiosity through workshops and materials. Seniors benefit from digital literacy classes and social programs.
In schools, public libraries supplement educational gaps, offering resources schools may lack. They promote literacy, critical thinking, and a love of reading. They also bridge the digital divide, offering essential access to Wi-Fi, devices, and research databases.
Public libraries are more than repositories of books—they are community hubs, offering services like voter registration, tax help, ESL classes, and support for the homeless. They foster civic engagement, promote equity, and strengthen democracy by empowering informed citizens.
In short, public libraries are engines of opportunity, deeply intertwined with educational success and societal well-being. Undervaluing or underfunding them risks widening educational and informational inequality at a time when access and literacy are more important than ever.
I am urging the Washoe County Commissioners to please support funding the Washoe County Library System. The library has somehow become politicized, but it should not be. People from all walks of life and from all political parties use the library. They are an important institution in our community that provide resources and services to everyone including my own family and most importantly my own children. Their eyes light up when they go to the library. It’s a magical and safe space for them that enriches their lives and opens their world to new and exciting possibilities. They always find a giant stack of books to take home with them that they are eager to read. They find other kids there that they make connections with playing with toys, computers, and coloring pages together. There would be devastating social and political consequences to lose crucial aspects of our library system and I urge every Washoe County Commissioner to do the right thing for our community and allocate the $1.3 million to fund the libraries. Thank you.
We MUST fund libraries! Libraries are essential for community health. Funding them is an investment in education, community development and the future of an engaged and well-informed society. Funding them is crucial for many reasons: Equal access to information, learning and education, community and social connection, resources for job seekers and business owners, free internet, access to technology and computer training, provide diverse viewpoints of political information, connect those in need with social services, along with many other valuable resources. Funding libraries should not be an option but a necessity! I expect Mike Clark, my county commissioner, and all Washoe County Commissioners to support the $1.3M transfer to fund the libraries which are an incredibly vital resource to the community.
Please approve the $1.3M transfer to the libraries and continue funding them. They may not seem important to people who can easily access internet, books and anything else they might need but to people who don’t have a computer or internet, who can’t afford books and who need a safe place for their children to learn, explore, meet other children, libraries are everything. Our community needs the libraries.
My mother was a single parent during my teen years. She worked two jobs to help support me and my sister. She could not afford after school care, school sport spirit packs, or other luxuries. I would spend every afternoon at the Sparks Library and complete my homework while I waited for her to get off work and come pick me up.
As an adult working on continuing education classes I still go to the libraries to work on homework. It is a place where I can focus on the task at hand, but it is also a place where I attend events and programs. My soon to be a teenager has found people who enjoy the same things he does with the programs and groups put together by the librarians.
As a public school librarian I work with the county libraries to connect teens to the resources provided such as tutoring, research, and school break activities. I encourage them to explore the public libraries for their interests.
It is important to fund free public spaces, and it is crucial to provide safe and welcoming spaces for our children and youth. If you value education, supporting free thinking, helping individuals grow as people, and community - you will support the funds for the libraries.
Thank you.
I’ve lived in Washoe County for the last 20 years. My family and I access the library resources almost weekly. I’m 100% in support of my tax dollars supporting this vital resource for our community. I expect every commissioner to support the $1.3M transfer to the Washoe Country Library System. Please do the right thing for our community.
Please support the libraries by transferring the appropriate funding needed. Our library system is far more than books. It is a gateway for resources for everyone, regardless of their socioeconomic backgrounds. It opens the door to many amazing programs and resources that are not obtainable by everyone. I grew up with a family with very little money, a parent with a drug addiction, and was homeless and on my own as a teenager. Having resources at the library opened the door for me and many other at risk students to graduate from high school. Libraries are safety and security for so many community members. I can't tell you how many seniors that I volunteer with in Cold Springs that love the North Valleys Library and go there for things like BINGO, socializing, access to things like audiobooks, the newspaper and the internet. These are all items that they could not be able to have access to with their limited and fixed incomes. The library should not be political, rather, it should be our way of taking care of our fellow community members by providing such an amazing resource for them to socialize, get educations, take classes, and have access to so many resources that would not be fiscally possible for everyone. Please vote to approve the full funding needed to keep our libraries going as they currently are.
Hello,
My name is Maria Flores, I am a resident of the City of Sparks and am contacting you to ask that you support the funding of our public libraries. The library system in our community is one of the most essential resources for the most needy and at risk members of our community. One of the last places where you are allowed to exist without any expectation of payment. Cutting funding to our libraries would have a detrimental effect that will take decades to try and reverse.
I implore that you do the right thing, as an individual that benefitted and continues to benefit from our public libraries, cutting funding to an already struggling system is not the answer. Invest in the community and its needs, the libraries being funded is a reflection of an agency that cares about its citizens and the services it provides. Represent your constituents who are asking that you continue to fund our libraries and do the right thing.
Thank you for your time and attention to this important matter. I expect you to do the right thing and not disappoint your constituents and your community.
Please approve the transfer of $1.3M to the Washoe County Library system. Libraries provide a valuable benefit to our community and offer programs and services that support learning and engagement. The library provides free access to information, fosters community engagement, promotes literacy, provides access to technology and serves as a safe place for our community. We need our libraries!
I am writing to implore you to keep the Washoe County Libraries funded. Libraries are a cornerstone of democracy and community and are an integral and necessary part of our communities in Washoe County. Libraries are powerful places where people can learn new things, form new connections with each other and their world, and transform lives—theirs and others. Libraries remind us to slow down, to turn off our screens, and to be part of humanity with others. My family visits a library in Washoe County at least once a week (and my kids are in 5th grade). We go to a different one each time because they want to peruse all the shelves!
Our human brains are learning brains. They are always seeking new information and learning new things. Without learning, our brains literally atrophy. When we learn, electrochemical signals fly along our neurons, myelinating them and making them strong and resilient. In the absence of learning, our neurons become brittle and disintegrate...our brain literally begins to die.
Please continue to invest in a learning, thriving, connected, small-d-democratic community in Washoe County by supporting the $1.3M library transfer.
Washoe County Library System (WCLS) is at a critical point.
•WC1 did not pass. This Expansion Fund (EF) and was intended to support expansion of libraries and capital improvements.
•During a financial challenge in 2009-2016, BCC directed WCLS to use EF to support staff salaries and other operating expenses
•EF continues to support expansion, capital improvements, and operations. Currently, 23 staff are supported by EF budget ($2.5M), as well as books and tech of ~$2M.
•The General Fund (GF) budget of $12.5M supports 101.5 staff ($11.6M) and all other services/supplies ($1.2M).
•NOTE: Information on WCLS budget came from reports of former Dir Scott to the Library Board of Trustees (LBOT) at many meetings and in written reports. He used this information to inform LBOT of options for cuts with the failure of WC1.
•Total current budget for WCLS is 1.29% of the Washoe County Budget (.95% GF; .34% EF), per WC Checkbook
•Staff report recommends flat funding for WCLS for FY26, using funds remaining in EF and allocating $1.3M from GF. Staff also recommends LBOT and BCC work together to provide an updated service delivery model and financial needs by 10/1/2025 for the FY27 budget process.
• 4/16/2025, Jeff Scott resigned as Director of WCLS, a huge loss WCLS at a time when his expertise is needed to develop an updated delivery service model that recognizes needs of public for library services and the reality of the financial situation.
The above facts inform my opinions and comments.
I urge you to accept the staff’s recommendation to flat fund WCLS for FY26 and to assign at least one Commissioner to work with LBOT and WCLS staff to develop an updated service delivery model and financial needs. Elimination of IMLS funding will further stress WCLS. And, there will now not be dedicated funding for capital maintenance, so GF will have to support both operations and capital maintenance.
Our libraries are one of the last places open to all people, offering valuable services and programs, at no entry fee. Many people have come before BCC to explain the services they, their families, and their organizations use and value. WC libraries are true community centers. This is exactly the time we should be investing in WCLS.
I recommend that the Commissioners vote to approve continued funding for the Washoe County Library system. Without the $1.3 million needed, the libraries will not be able to perform their vital function to our whole community - that is providing up to date materials and resources in the form of staff to assist patrons with finding books and other materials and in using digital and other resources that should be available in any modern-day library system. Any lack in funding for books, materials and staff will make of fabulous Washoe County Library System less accessible and useful to our community for education and entertainment. Loss of adequate funding will deprive our thriving and growing community of an essential resource which cannot be duplicated for all in either the private sector or in our educational systems. A Library System without adequate books and staff ceases to be a true library for all to enjoy and benefit from. Please keep the Washoe County Library System fully funded so that the people in Washoe County can remain able to rely on its essential services. Thank you, Kate Whitfield
Due to the elimination of federal funding to the Nevada State Library, Archives and Public Records, Washoe County Libraries are now at risk of losing access to critical subscription databases that were previously provided at no direct cost to the county. These include EBSCO, ABC-CLIO, LearningExpress, World Book, and TeachingBooks—tools that are used daily by students, educators, homeschool families, and lifelong learners. I am writing as a concerned, taxpaying citizen to strongly urge the allocation of an additional $1.3 million to ensure these services are preserved. The last date of service for these databases is June 30, 2025.These resources are more than academic—they are foundational to digital equity and educational access in our county. Without them, thousands of patrons will lose reliable, high-quality tools that support literacy, research, and career development. Now that state-level purchasing is no longer an option, these costs fall entirely on local systems like ours. Additionally, the future of the federally administered E-Rate program is unclear. This program helps libraries and schools afford internet access, provided they comply with the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA), which requires strong filtering systems to protect minors. That infrastructure—software, hardware, and staff—costs money. If E-Rate funding is lost, maintaining filtered access may become unaffordable.Libraries are essential community resources, especially for those without access elsewhere. As both state and federal supports disappear, it is now up to local leadership to step in. I understand that this information may not have been fully presented, especially in light of the adversarial relationship between the Washoe County Library Board and its former director. However, the situation is urgent. The requested $1.3 million is not just a budget line—it represents the continued access to education, opportunity, and trusted information for all.
The 1.3 million for our washoe libraries is a good thing! Please vote to find our libraries where maybe county citizens use their resources daily. From internet access to toddler story time our libraries and librarians support a wide array of our population. Thank you for your consideration.
Please allocate the 1.3 million or more to the libraries. These dynamic institutions are very important community centers with resources for all citizens in the county which can be accessed for free if you have a library card. Programs include helping seniors use technology which includes their phones and the Libby app to access audio books or magazines; after school learning experiences; family story-times even on Saturdays; and job application assistance. Half the population voted Yes to keep predictable library funding. Plenty of people were confused with the wording which was from 30 years ago. Now this becomes a yearly event for a critical part of the budget...materials. Please keep Washoe County Libraries funded at a level to maintain what we have. Creative, efficient employees, who welcome everyone, have worked so hard to create these dynamic places for free educational use by the community. Libraries show cases the best of the entire region. Not using the library, wake-up! It is never too late to become more educated.
Libraries are a fantastic use of our county's limited resources, and one that will contribute to our community's ongoing success by allowing a greater portion of our population to be better educated and have the skills necessary to meaningfully contribute to our community. I support the $1.3 million allocation from the general fund to the library. While this is still a drop in funding from last year's budget including the expansion fund allocation, it does go some way to alleviate some of the reduction in services that the non-renewal of that allocation will cause. I would like to see an allocation to the library higher than the $1.3 million, but that does not seem realistic at this point. It seems to me that this funding proposal is a bare minimum for maintaining a functioning library system that can reasonably serve all Washoe County residents, but particularly lower income residents, who avail themselves of library services to educate and better themselves.
The 1.3 million that has been allocated to the library is crucial to maintain the budget for library materials and staff to maintain hours. Without it, there will not be new materials on our library shelves or ebooks/eaudiobooks on Libby and there will be a staff education, which will force the library to cut hours. Failure to support this funding will be devastating for all citizens, but especially our seniors, school age children, and job seekers. Supporting lifelong learning is the key to a successful, healthy community for years to come.
As a resident and engaged member of Washoe County, I respectfully urge the Board to prioritize funding that ensures our public libraries continue operating without service reductions.
Libraries are far more than book-lenders, they are essential institutions serving residents of all ages and backgrounds. In a society where access to technology, education, and reliable information is critical, libraries are more vital than ever.
The Washoe County Library System is a cornerstone of lifelong learning, digital access, and community connection. Libraries provide safe after-school environments for children, job-seeking resources for the unemployed, social opportunities for seniors, and vital support for students. From early literacy programs to free internet access, our libraries bridge equity gaps and create opportunity.
The impact is immeasurable: families rely on library programming to support child development; entrepreneurs and small business owners use library tools to grow; and veterans and unhoused individuals find critical information and community within their walls. Investing in libraries strengthens our community’s foundation.
Reduced funding (leading to shorter hours, staff cuts, and fewer programs) directly undermines these essential services. In challenging times, libraries are one of the first places people turn for support. Keeping them open, well-staffed, and resourced reflects our shared commitment to community well-being.
Moreover, libraries offer one of the highest returns on public investment. Studies show every dollar spent yields broad social and economic benefits, from literacy and workforce development to civic engagement.
Washoe County has long championed public services and quality of life. Continuing full support for our libraries aligns with strategic goals of resilient neighborhoods and economic prosperity.
I trust you share the vision of a thriving, informed, and inclusive Washoe County. Please protect our libraries from funding cuts and preserve their ability to serve all residents. Let us ensure access to knowledge and community remains available to everyone—through the open doors of our public libraries.
Thank you for your service and thoughtful leadership.
Public libraries are vital cornerstones of communities and essential to public education. They provide free, equitable access to information, technology, and learning resources for people of all ages, backgrounds, and income levels. For many, especially those in underserved or rural areas, libraries are the only places to access books, computers, internet, and educational tools.
Libraries support lifelong learning. Children benefit from storytimes, homework help, and summer reading programs that combat learning loss. Teens use libraries for study groups, tutoring, and safe spaces to explore ideas. Adults can pursue GEDs, job training, or simply feed their curiosity through workshops and materials. Seniors benefit from digital literacy classes and social programs.
In schools, public libraries supplement educational gaps, offering resources schools may lack. They promote literacy, critical thinking, and a love of reading. They also bridge the digital divide, offering essential access to Wi-Fi, devices, and research databases.
Public libraries are more than repositories of books—they are community hubs, offering services like voter registration, tax help, ESL classes, and support for the homeless. They foster civic engagement, promote equity, and strengthen democracy by empowering informed citizens.
In short, public libraries are engines of opportunity, deeply intertwined with educational success and societal well-being. Undervaluing or underfunding them risks widening educational and informational inequality at a time when access and literacy are more important than ever.
I am urging the Washoe County Commissioners to please support funding the Washoe County Library System. The library has somehow become politicized, but it should not be. People from all walks of life and from all political parties use the library. They are an important institution in our community that provide resources and services to everyone including my own family and most importantly my own children. Their eyes light up when they go to the library. It’s a magical and safe space for them that enriches their lives and opens their world to new and exciting possibilities. They always find a giant stack of books to take home with them that they are eager to read. They find other kids there that they make connections with playing with toys, computers, and coloring pages together. There would be devastating social and political consequences to lose crucial aspects of our library system and I urge every Washoe County Commissioner to do the right thing for our community and allocate the $1.3 million to fund the libraries. Thank you.
We MUST fund libraries! Libraries are essential for community health. Funding them is an investment in education, community development and the future of an engaged and well-informed society. Funding them is crucial for many reasons: Equal access to information, learning and education, community and social connection, resources for job seekers and business owners, free internet, access to technology and computer training, provide diverse viewpoints of political information, connect those in need with social services, along with many other valuable resources. Funding libraries should not be an option but a necessity! I expect Mike Clark, my county commissioner, and all Washoe County Commissioners to support the $1.3M transfer to fund the libraries which are an incredibly vital resource to the community.
Please approve the $1.3M transfer to the libraries and continue funding them. They may not seem important to people who can easily access internet, books and anything else they might need but to people who don’t have a computer or internet, who can’t afford books and who need a safe place for their children to learn, explore, meet other children, libraries are everything. Our community needs the libraries.
My mother was a single parent during my teen years. She worked two jobs to help support me and my sister. She could not afford after school care, school sport spirit packs, or other luxuries. I would spend every afternoon at the Sparks Library and complete my homework while I waited for her to get off work and come pick me up.
As an adult working on continuing education classes I still go to the libraries to work on homework. It is a place where I can focus on the task at hand, but it is also a place where I attend events and programs. My soon to be a teenager has found people who enjoy the same things he does with the programs and groups put together by the librarians.
As a public school librarian I work with the county libraries to connect teens to the resources provided such as tutoring, research, and school break activities. I encourage them to explore the public libraries for their interests.
It is important to fund free public spaces, and it is crucial to provide safe and welcoming spaces for our children and youth. If you value education, supporting free thinking, helping individuals grow as people, and community - you will support the funds for the libraries.
Thank you.
I’ve lived in Washoe County for the last 20 years. My family and I access the library resources almost weekly. I’m 100% in support of my tax dollars supporting this vital resource for our community. I expect every commissioner to support the $1.3M transfer to the Washoe Country Library System. Please do the right thing for our community.
Please support the libraries by transferring the appropriate funding needed. Our library system is far more than books. It is a gateway for resources for everyone, regardless of their socioeconomic backgrounds. It opens the door to many amazing programs and resources that are not obtainable by everyone. I grew up with a family with very little money, a parent with a drug addiction, and was homeless and on my own as a teenager. Having resources at the library opened the door for me and many other at risk students to graduate from high school. Libraries are safety and security for so many community members. I can't tell you how many seniors that I volunteer with in Cold Springs that love the North Valleys Library and go there for things like BINGO, socializing, access to things like audiobooks, the newspaper and the internet. These are all items that they could not be able to have access to with their limited and fixed incomes. The library should not be political, rather, it should be our way of taking care of our fellow community members by providing such an amazing resource for them to socialize, get educations, take classes, and have access to so many resources that would not be fiscally possible for everyone. Please vote to approve the full funding needed to keep our libraries going as they currently are.
Hello,
My name is Maria Flores, I am a resident of the City of Sparks and am contacting you to ask that you support the funding of our public libraries. The library system in our community is one of the most essential resources for the most needy and at risk members of our community. One of the last places where you are allowed to exist without any expectation of payment. Cutting funding to our libraries would have a detrimental effect that will take decades to try and reverse.
I implore that you do the right thing, as an individual that benefitted and continues to benefit from our public libraries, cutting funding to an already struggling system is not the answer. Invest in the community and its needs, the libraries being funded is a reflection of an agency that cares about its citizens and the services it provides. Represent your constituents who are asking that you continue to fund our libraries and do the right thing.
Thank you for your time and attention to this important matter. I expect you to do the right thing and not disappoint your constituents and your community.
Please approve the transfer of $1.3M to the Washoe County Library system. Libraries provide a valuable benefit to our community and offer programs and services that support learning and engagement. The library provides free access to information, fosters community engagement, promotes literacy, provides access to technology and serves as a safe place for our community. We need our libraries!
I am writing to implore you to keep the Washoe County Libraries funded. Libraries are a cornerstone of democracy and community and are an integral and necessary part of our communities in Washoe County. Libraries are powerful places where people can learn new things, form new connections with each other and their world, and transform lives—theirs and others. Libraries remind us to slow down, to turn off our screens, and to be part of humanity with others. My family visits a library in Washoe County at least once a week (and my kids are in 5th grade). We go to a different one each time because they want to peruse all the shelves!
Our human brains are learning brains. They are always seeking new information and learning new things. Without learning, our brains literally atrophy. When we learn, electrochemical signals fly along our neurons, myelinating them and making them strong and resilient. In the absence of learning, our neurons become brittle and disintegrate...our brain literally begins to die.
Please continue to invest in a learning, thriving, connected, small-d-democratic community in Washoe County by supporting the $1.3M library transfer.