1. How is the Lopez Library Funded?
Libraries in Washington State are funded in several ways, and property tax levies are the main source of income for most library districts—including the Lopez Island Library.
Lopez Island Library District is a junior taxing district, which means it is not part of San Juan County government and does not receive funding from the county except for occasional grants that are limited in size and frequency.
- 90% of Lopez Library’s budget comes from property taxes paid by community members who own property on Lopez Island.
- 7% of the budget comes from Friends of the Lopez Island Library, a 501(c)3 non-profit whose mission is to provide support to the library through fundraising, advocating, and volunteering.
- 3% of the budget comes federal, state, and other sources.
2. What is a Levy?
A levy is a property tax that helps fund the operations, services, and facility maintenance of a specific district—in this case, the Lopez Island Library District. The levy amount is calculated by multiplying a voter-approved rate by the total assessed value of properties in the district, which is defined as properties located on Lopez Island.
Under state law, this base amount can only increase by 1% per year, plus a small amount to account for new construction. That means even if property values go up, the amount of money the library can collect only grows a little each year
Currently, this means the library receives $0.30 per $1,000 in assessed value, a drop from a levy rate of $0.48 that voters approved in 2019. This is not a new levy. The ballot measure asks voters to adjust the current levy rate of $0.30 per $1,000 assessed property value to $0.48, a change of $0.18 per $1,000 assessed property value.
3. What is the 1% Levy Limit?
Washington voters passed Initiative 747 in 2001, which set a cap known as the the “101% levy limit.” This rule says that the total amount a district like the library can collect in property taxes can’t increase by more than 1% each year unless voters approve it.
This 1% cap limits the library’s ability to keep up with rising and/or inflationary costs for a variety of items that keep the library functioning, including insurance, maintenance, goods and services which often increase faster than 1%.
4. What is a Levy Lid Lift?
A “levy lid lift” is a voter-approved way to raise the levy rate above the 1% limit. It resets the library’s funding base, allowing it to better keep pace with real-world expenses.
5. Why is the library asking to restore the levy rate now?
Each year, the Library can only increase its property tax revenue by 1%, as limited by state law. But the cost of staffing, materials, and running the building has gone up much more than that due to inflation. Like other small local government services (called “junior taxing districts”), the Library needs to occasionally ask voters to restore a levy rate so it can keep up with rising costs.
The library has managed its funding carefully, but it’s now facing a budget shortfall that makes it difficult to maintain current services and address critical facility maintenance. Some examples of how this has affected the library:
- Budgets for books, movies, and other materials haven’t increased in several years. Because of inflation, that money buys less each year.
- Maintenance projects—like replacing the roof, updating the electrical system, replacing failing windows, or fixing the heating and cooling ducting—have had to be delayed.
In addition, recent instability in Federal and State funding to libraries is creating uncertainty and jeopardizing subsidized support for important areas like internet access, ebooks and audiobooks, and staff training. These resources help the Library serve the community more effectively and unstable funding at Federal and State levels threatens it.
6. How is the Levy Lid Lift different from Project Little Red?
Project Little Red is a five-year, $2 million capital campaign focused on major repairs and building improvements. It is raising money to fix things like the leaking roof, broken or outdated windows, heating and cooling systems, electrical upgrades, lighting, potholes in the parking lot, and other needed maintenance. Project Little Red is a joint effort between the Friends of Lopez Island Library and the Lopez Library. The funding comes from a mix of sources, including grants, private donations, and a portion of the library’s property tax revenue.
The Levy Lid Lift is a separate request. It asks voters to approve restoring the Library’s regular property tax rate to $0.48 per $1,000 of assessed property value. This would provide more stable funding for day-to-day library operations—like staff, programs, books, movies, digital services, and general upkeep.
7. What happens if the levy rate is not restored?
If the levy is not approved, the Library will have to continue operating on a budget that no longer keeps up with rising costs. This would result in:
- Smaller collections of books, movies, and digital resources (audiobooks and ebooks)
- Reduced open hours as a result of staff cuts
- Delayed maintenance on the building and grounds, including safety-related repairs
- Fewer programs for all ages
In short, without additional funding, the Library will have to scale back on the services, programs, and resources that many in the community rely on. Essential maintenance projects may be delayed even further, leading to higher costs down the road.
The Library will continue to seek grants and donations, but these sources are limited and unpredictable. A stable operating budget is necessary to keep the Library open, safe, and thriving.
8. Are people using the library? How much value do taxpayers receive for their library services?
Lopez Island Library consistently ranks among the most active libraries in the state and the significant value it delivers to residents each year. Out of all libraries in Washington State, the Lopez Island Library has:
- The second highest annual library visits per capita
- The second highest circulation per capita
In 2024,
- Over 500 free programs were offered for children, teens and adults attended by 8,160 people
- Users saved over $760,000 by borrowing books and other items
- The library was visited 42,397 times
9. When is the election, and how can I check my voter registration?
The Library’s levy lid lift will be on the ballot for the August 5, 2025 election.
You can check your registration status, update your information, register to vote, view your ballot, and track your ballot—all in one place—by visiting VoteWA.gov.
10. How many votes are needed to pass the levy lid lift?
The levy lid lift will pass if a simple majority—more than 50%—of voters who cast a ballot in the August 5 election vote “yes.”
11. I rent my home—do I pay the levy?
Renters don’t pay property taxes directly, so you won’t be billed for the levy. Property owners are responsible for paying the levy rate.
12. Why doesn’t San Juan County fund the Lopez Island Library?
The Lopez Island Library is an independent junior taxing district—just like a school or fire district. This means it operates separately from San Juan County government, and county taxes do not go toward funding the library.
The library is eligible occasionally for competitive grant programs, such as LTAC (Lodging Tax Advisory Committee). However, these funds, while helpful, are limited in scope and availability and are not considered a long-term funding option.
13. My property value has gone up—why hasn’t the Library received more money? Where is my tax money going?
It’s true that property values—and tax bills—have increased for many people. But under Washington State law, library districts can only increase the total amount they collect by 1% per year, no matter how much property values rise.
So even if your home is worth more, the library doesn’t automatically get more money. For example, if a property contributed $200 to the library one year, it can only go up by $2 the next year, unless voters approve a change.
14. How much would the proposed Library levy cost me?
The Library is asking voters to restore a property tax levy of $0.48 per $1,000 of assessed property value. It is currently at $.030 per $1,000 of assessed property value.
For a $600,000 property, owners would pay about $9 more a month. Exemptions are available for qualifying seniors, people retired due to disabilities, and veterans with disabilities.
15. What are the major components of the Lopez Island Library’s annual expenses?
In 2025, the Library’s total budget is $755,749. These funds support a wide range of services from the historic building, including six-day-a-week open hours, 24/7 access to WiFi, eBooks, streaming media, and a full-service website.
Here’s how that budget breaks down:
- 71% goes toward wages and benefits for Library staff.
- 8% is spent on new library materials, including books, eBooks, movies, and music, to keep our collection fresh and in demand.
- 3% supports community programs for youth, adults, and all ages.
- The remaining 18% covers operations, including building maintenance, insurance, utilities, and supplies.
16. What’s happening with federal library funding?
The funding landscape for public libraries is currently uncertain and rapidly changing—especially at the federal level.
In recent months, attempts have been made to dismantle the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)— the only federal agency responsible for providing funds directly to libraries across the country. On April 1, IMLS cancelled $3.9M in grants to the Washington State Library (including ones supporting the Lopez Library). These were restored on May 5 but will end September 30, 2025. Federal funding beyond that date remains uncertain.
17. How do federal cuts affect Lopez Island Library?
Federal funding supports the library in the form of subsidies, consortium pricing, training, and direct grants provided through the Washington State Library (WSL). Most of those funds aren’t directly received by the library but, in their absence, will result in higher costs to the library.
Notably, this includes the ability to provide public access to Libby for eBooks and audiobooks and broadband Internet.
18. How do state budget cuts affect Lopez Island Library?
Washington State Library is also facing budget pressure at the state level. Significant staff layoffs and program reductions have occurred, with more expected. This affects services that libraries across the state rely on, including Lopez Island, such as the Dolly Parton Imagination Library which sends books to Lopez children from birth to five years old, encouraging early learning and literacy.
Libraries are navigating an unstable funding environment. While Lopez Library continues to receive some support through September 2025, both federal and state cuts pose serious risks to the systems that help us deliver digital collections, staff training, rural connectivity, and equitable access to information.