The Eugene Public Library plays a central and essential role in our community. It needs your voice.
URGENT BUDGET UPDATE 2/12/25: Results of the Budget Work Session
On Monday, February 10, City Council voted 5 to 3 in support of the “Fire Fee,” which moves about $8 million of the fire department’s budget out of the general budget. This scenario reduces the 2025-27 general fund budget deficit to about $3.5 million. This path avoids the most drastic cuts to the library’s budget.
Layoffs and Closures by Summer if a Petition Gathers Enough Signatures
However, Councilor Clark mentioned that some community members have already signaled that they plan to collect 5,800 signatures to refer the fee to the voters. If this happens, the city would need to prepare a budget based on the $11.5 million shortfall while the petition process unfolds.
The petition would put a public vote on the ballot in either late spring or late summer, introducing great uncertainty for the library’s budget and operations. If a petition triggers a ballot vote in August, librarians would be laid off over the summer and the downtown library closed two days a week. Staff could be rehired only if the public votes to approve the fee. WHILE WE RESPECT THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS, WE URGE LIBRARY SUPPORTERS TO COMMUNICATE WITH THEIR COUCILORS ABOUT BUDGET CONCERNS DIRECTLY, AND NOT TO SIGN THE PETITION, SINCE DOING SO WILL DIRECLTY RESULT IN SUMMER LAYOFFS AND LIBRARY CLOSURES.
How does library funding work in Eugene?
Our local library receives 80% of its funding from the City of Eugene’s general fund. A levy, passed in 2020 by 77% of voters, funds another 17%. The remaining 3% is covered by private donations from Friends of the Eugene Public Library and The Eugene Public Library Foundation. In recent years, the library’s operating budget has been slashed by cuts to the city’s general fund, and is now operating with as few resources and staff as it can while maintaining the standard of service that patrons need. Library supporters are concerned that unless the City identifies other sources of revenue in the next budget cycle, it will face another 10% cut.
Sources of Library Funding
A Challenging Timeline for the Eugene Public Library
Winter 2025: City Council passes the Fire Services Fee by a vote of 5-3, which avoids the most drastic cuts to the library. Those who voted for the fee include Councilors Kashinsky (Ward 1), Keating (Ward 2), Zelenka (Ward 3), Yeh (Ward 4), and Leech (Ward 7). Voting against the fee were Councilors Clark (Ward 5), Evans (Ward 6) and Groves (Ward 8). If you are inclined, you may want to reach out to your councilor and let them know what you thought of their vote.
Fall 2024: The library now operates at the lowest staffing level possible to maintain current hours. Zero dollars are earmarked for library materials in fiscal year 2025 - including physical books and periodicals, database subscriptions, The Library of Things, DVDs, streaming services, e-books, children’s materials, and more. If no other revenue sources are identified by the City of Eugene, further cuts await in the spring.
July 2024: Library staff announce changes to operating hours to compensate for stress on staff caused by cuts.
June 2024: Council approves 1.5 additional FTE cut to library staff (KLCC article).
September 2023: Staff struggle to maintain service level due to cuts. Programs are reduced, off-site outreach programs are eliminated, reshelving and processing is slowed, and staff are stretched thin.
June 2023: Council approves a 15% cut to the library’s operating budget. Staff report that materials and programming can no longer funded, if not for the levy and private donations.
June 2022: The Library Journal ranks Eugene Public Library in the top 3% in the nation for cost-effective delivery of services.
Cuts to the Eugene Public Library budget have significantly impacted the community.
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