Deborah Chan: ‘Yes’ vote gives us three great libraries

By now you have a special March 11 election ballot for one of the most exciting and critical bond votes ever.

Before the city of Spokane Valley was formed, the Spokane County Library District planned to build a larger library in the Valley. Plans stalled while the city considered privatizing library services but, when Valley citizens showed fierce support for them, the city chose to stay with the district.

Since then, the Valley libraries have increased open hours and materials purchases. Our assessed property evaluation fee has dropped from 50 cents to 47 cents per $1,000 assessed property evaluation.

Now the district is ready to implement its expansion plans, expressly desired by Valley residents and critical to urban growth needs. You can find detailed information at www.scld.org. Here’s the gist:

There are two ballot propositions and we must vote on both.

The first proposition is to form a Library Capital Facility Area. The LCFA comprises the city of Spokane Valley, Millwood and other areas outside city limits which use and benefit from Valley libraries. (An LCFA map is available at the district Web site and Spokane Valley, Argonne and Otis Orchard library branches.) All residents within LCFA borders will vote on forming the LCFA.

The second proposition, contingent on LCFA formation, is to approve the project’s financing. Spokane Valley citizens won’t shoulder the cost alone.

Here’s what we’d get if both propositions pass – not just one library, but three!

The district will build a 58,600-square-foot main library at the planned Spokane Valley City Center on the former U-City site. This would be more than double the size of the library on Main, which can’t accommodate remodeling to meet current and future needs. After building the new library, the district would sell the Main property, putting the proceeds into a capital reserve fund for future facility enhancements or expansion.

The new library would have 52,000 additional materials, more than 30 additional computers, more public meeting room space (including an auditorium) and larger areas for children and teen.

We’d also have a new 15,000-square-foot Greenacres branch at Conklin and Sprague, just east of Sullivan, to serve the growing eastern area. Twice the size of the current Argonne branch, it would hold 25 or more computer stations and nearly 60,000 new materials. The district has already purchased the land.

The Argonne branch would undergo a 2,000-square-foot expansion, with more computers, and high-demand materials.

The main library would open in 2010; the branches in 2011.

The 20-year bonds cost $33.4 million, with the property tax levy rate of 25 cents per $1,000 assessed valuation. The owner of a $100,000 home would pay $25 a year; the owner of a $200,000 home would pay $50 per year.

Think about this. For the price of a couple movies, books or meals out per year, we could have three great libraries. Breaking it down further, $25 a year divides to 49 cents per week; $50 to 98 cents. You can’t even buy a small soft drink, a pound of apples or loaf of bread for these amounts. What a bargain.

And, as new homes are built in the LCFA, individual payments will decrease.

With soaring materials and construction costs, we can’t afford to wait.

“I am, personally, fully in support of this measure,” said Mayor Rich Munson. “I think it’s long overdue, and it reflects the need of a city our size. Building the library in the new city center is key to its success.”

Ellen Miller, branch services manager for Spokane Valley and project manager, said, “The community has the opportunity to invest in the next 50 years of Valley library services. It will really help make a great community greater.”

Two Spokane Valley citizens were enthusiastic when questioned. “As a frequent library patron, I value the outstanding services; our ‘yes’ votes are important,” said Patsy Burger.

“We love our libraries.” said Hannah Davis, mother of three. “They’re a vital part of our communities, well worth the investment. I’m definitely voting for the bonds and look forward to taking my family to the library for years to come.”

The district library plans are responsible, realistic and visionary.

I urge you to vote ‘yes’ for great Valley libraries.