Library services need levy

The Chewelah Public Library Board of Trustees urges county residents to vote yes on the Stevens County Rural Library District levy lift for library services on Nov. 2. Levy approval will restore the original tax rate to 50 cents. For a county homeowner with a $200,000 property, the increase will only be $22 per year.

For nearly 60 years, the Chewelah Public Library welcomed county residents to use the library without charge. Starting with the formation of the library district 12 years ago, county residents began supporting the library through the levy. Just in the last year, there have been 500 new cardholders at the Chewelah library. Even though city residents total 2,300, we have nearly 5,800 cardholders that declare us as their home library.

The city library and district partnership allowed the library to improve services with upgraded computers and Internet access, increased availability of books and longer hours. Added benefits included author presentations, summer reading with a math and science component, increased access to social and employment assistance, and presentations on a variety of topics. Without approval of the levy, we cannot sustain these improvements. Please join the board in voting for the library levy.

Susan Richart

Chair, Chewelah Public Library Board of Trustees

Chewelah, Wash.