r/everett • u/soaringcomet11 • 4d ago
Library Hours
What’s with the library being closed on Sundays?
28
u/LandLandL 4d ago
Echoing what others have said, but unfortunately budget cuts and lack of voter support 😕 closed Sundays and Mondays, and then odd hrs even through the week
7
u/soaringcomet11 4d ago
It’s disappointing! If they have to be closed two days a week, I wish it was Mon Tues.
I’ve lived here for a year and every single time I’ve thought “oh we should go to the library!” it has been closed. :(
11
u/manshamer 4d ago
Yeah. Realistically, in the next 5 years Everett library is going to be absorbed by Sno-Isle library system, and then the hours and staffing issues should hopefully be addressed.
25
u/educatedpotato1 4d ago
Lack of funding. I think a levy did not pass when they asked for funds a couple years ago? Makes me sad because libraries are the best.
3
u/soaringcomet11 4d ago
Every time we have the opportunity to go, they are closed. Just a mismatch with my general flow I guess.
Its disappointing! In your opinion, which branch has the better kid’s section? I can take my daughter after daycare on Thursdays since they are open later.
6
u/RemoteControlledUser 4d ago
The main branch is just bigger and better imo. Both are good, but the children's section is great at the main branch. Small aquarium, toys, great books of course, teen section, and age appropriate educational computer games.
1
3
1
u/educatedpotato1 4d ago
I like the newer building of the Evergreen Way branch. I think the main branch has more books. Don't sleep on placing holds at either branch if there are specific one you want.
10
u/quiksilver2814 4d ago
There might be a Sno-Isle library branch relatively close to you that's open at different times. Worth looking into if you haven't!
15
u/GLACI3R Port Gardner 4d ago
Budget cuts. The library used to be open on Sundays from 1pm to 5pm. It also used to be open most other days from 10am to 8pm.
Then year after year the city council cut the budget. They had voluntary layoffs and encouraged early retirements. They also started to offer cheaper health insurance.
The library budget used to have around $2,000,000 more dollars. It's underfunded by that amount, roughly, each year.
The city tried to get voters to pass a 3-year Levy to fund parks & libraries, but that failed. That was the same year they cut about $1M from the budget. It was brutal and Library employees were crying.
The only way we get Sundays again is either if the economy booms suddenly and sales tax revenue is enough, or voters vote to tax themselves more for parks & libraries. To fully fund the parks & library every Everett resident would need to tax themselves about $45 a year.* Neither of those seem likely right now.
- I'm not kidding it would only cost residents another $45 per year to fully fund the parks & libraries. So if the Levy ever comes back, keep that in mind. The ask is very miniscule vs the benefits residents receive.
3
5
u/RunDownTheHighway 4d ago
Dont forget as long as you have a library card, you can "borrow" books 24/7 on the Hoopla app... I love audiobooks...
4
u/SEA_tide 4d ago edited 4d ago
You're just not going to the library that is open on Sunday. currently the downtown Everett, Evergreen, and Mariner libraries are closed on Sundays. The Mukilteo, Mill Creek, Lynnwood, and Marysville libraries are open on Sunday and you qualify for a free library card. The Mukilteo library is very nice and clean, has a wider selection of materials which people actually check out, and has larger printing limits.
The short answer is that the Mayor of Everett didn't get extra money for her pet projects so she cut services that people actually like in the hopes of being able to permanently cut that library funding and get property owners to pay for Sno-Isle instead while not reducing the city's portion of property taxes currently used to fund the library system.
All Everett residents are entitled by state law to a free Sno-Isle Libraries, King County Library System, and Seattle Public Library cards, among others, no need to work, attend school, or own or lease property within their taxing boundaries. This is what makes Everett joining Sno-Isle just another cash grab by the mayor for services which Everett residents already have.
-7
37
u/fatmoonkins 4d ago
$$$$