“This is a strictly difficult decision, especially on the fail side,” FVRLibraries Government Director Jennifer Giltrop advised the board. “No one wants to fail, and no one wants to see our library system in decline.”
If the levy fails, the library system would make important upfront reductions. With Trustees Irina Kakorina and Megan Dugan dissenting, the board voted 5-2 for a plan that may reduce about 51 p.c (352 hours per week) of department and bookmobile hours districtwide between 2026 and 2030.
Over the following 5 years, spending on books and supplies can be lowered by $675,000, and the Vancouver Mall Library would shut in 2028 when the lease is up. No new libraries, bookmobiles or renovations would happen, in keeping with a employees report.
In 2026, the library system would reduce about 68 positions, a 30 p.c employees discount. Then, in 2029, one other 40 positions can be reduce, a 25 p.c discount.
If the levy passes, library department and bookmobile hours would improve by 13 p.c (781 hours each week), in keeping with the plan trustees accredited by a 5-2 vote. Trustees Marie Coffey and Dugan dissented.
That possibility would maintain the finances till 2035, which is able to enable for the district to proceed investing in library supplies and programming, in keeping with a employees report. The plan would additionally add a brand new Clark County Bookmobile in 2026, a brand new Washougal Neighborhood Library constructing in 2027 and a brand new library in 2030. Employees positions would improve by an estimated 8 p.c (91 hours each week districtwide).
FVRLibraries should preserve $500,000 within the finances if the levy fails to be able to place one other levy lid elevate on a future poll, Giltrop stated.
“There’s no easy answers to any of this, and there’s pros and cons on both sides,” Trustee Kristy Morgan stated. “(This is) probably one of the toughest decisions I’ve had to make.”
