Oct. 28, 2020 update: We are grateful and humbled by your outpouring of support for Tacoma Public Library and your time and efforts in contacting councilmembers, attending meetings, and sharing information that made it clear that Tacoma values its public library system. We are now working closely with our partners at the City of Tacoma on a revised budget that will lessen the service and staff cuts. However, due to the serious impact that the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have, we will still need to move forward with a reduced budget. We want to be clear that at no point were any of our libraries under threat of permanent closure. Once again, we thank you for your support, as we continue to work towards our goal of being the library system that Tacoma deserves.
On Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020, Tacoma’s City Manager presented the City of Tacoma’s 2021-22 budget, opens a new window to Tacoma’s City Council, with adjustments made due to the $67 million deficit caused by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Tacoma Public Library’s Proposed Budget has been reduced by $2.2M, leading to potential reductions in programs and services and the elimination of 22 library staff members, including three library managers and 18 public services staff.
If you would like to provide feedback about Tacoma Public Library during the City of Tacoma’s 2021-22 budget adoption process, you may:
- Contact Tacoma City Council, opens a new window
- Attend public input sessions:
- Provide feedback on the City of Tacoma budget with the Balancing Act Budget Tool, opens a new window
- Share this information with your networks
