Save Salem Public Library (OR)!
OCTOBER 2024 UPDATE:
A recent survey of prospective voters in Salem disliked options for a livability levy (library/parks/Center 50+) or a public safety levy (police/fire). City Council will deliberate at a work session on 10/21 about further options for pursuing funding. At this moment, it is likely Salem Public Library will face even more drastic cuts, including staff and operational reductions, come June 2025 without steady funding or the support of City Council.Background:
The public library for Salem, the capital city of Oregon, was fighting budget options in spring 2024 that included losing 8 FTE come July 1, 2024. These options primarily affected Spanish-speaking staff and targeted diverse programming.Thanks to Mayor Chris Hoy, a motion was put forth to use temporary funding from the Transient Occupancy Tax to save the library at current operations until June 30, 2025, which was approved by City Council on June 24, 2024. This saved the 3 Librarians and 3 Library Assistants their jobs for an additional year. Unfortunately, since then three Librarians have resigned. We must continue to advocate for library funding.Photo by @kelseydawn.art and used with permission