Seattle, WA
Mayor Katie Wilson proposes $410 million Seattle Public Library Levy to city council
SEATTLE — Seattle voters could decide next year whether to dramatically expand dedicated funding for The Seattle Public Library under a proposed $410 million Library Levy that Mayor Katie Wilson transmitted to the Seattle City Council on Tuesday.
The proposed 2026 replacement levy would fund the library system for seven years, from 2027 through 2033, replacing the expiring $219.1 million 2019 Library Levy, which currently accounts for one-third of the library’s total budget.
Most Seattle libraries will be open daily thanks to 2019 levy
“Seattle is a city of readers. From toddlers discovering their first stories to seniors finding connection and lifelong learning, our libraries belong to everyone,” Wilson said.
Investing in our libraries means investing in every community member, and in the shared public spaces that help our city learn, grow, imagine, and thrive together.
The 2026 levy proposal maintains the 2019 levy’s focus areas: Operating Hours and Access; Helping Children; Collections (Books and Materials); Technology and Online Services; Building Maintenance; and Administration and Central Costs.
If voters approve the 2026 Library Levy, it would invest in access, programming, collections, building maintenance, and technology and online services across Seattle’s library system. The proposal includes maintaining open hours at all 27 neighborhood branches, adding more physical books along with e-books and audiobooks, expanding technology and online services, and funding building maintenance and capital improvements. It also includes additional facility and janitorial resources intended to keep libraries “safer, cleaner and more welcoming for everyone.”
Chief Librarian Tom Fay thanked the mayor for the proposal.
“We thank Mayor Wilson for putting forward a levy proposal that reflects community needs and interests and invests in Library open hours, collections, programs, buildings, and technology,” Fay said. “We look forward to working in partnership with Mayor Wilson and City councilmembers through a public process that will ensure this package is something all Seattle residents can be proud to support in August,”
The proposal will be reviewed by a select committee of the Seattle City Council chaired by Councilmember Maritza Rivera, who represents District 4. Rivera joined Wilson, Fay and Library Board of Trustees President Yazmin Mehdi for the transmittal of the levy proposal to the City Council on Tuesday.
“This proposal reaffirms Seattle’s reputation as a world-class library system. We are a City of avid and curious readers who rely on our libraries for information and engagement,” Rivera said. “For decades, library patrons have described their branches as beloved third places, centers of learning, and safe spaces that are worth the investment.”
Rivera said the levy renewal also upholds “the city’s commitment to preserving library open hours, providing books in the format that readers want, delivering programming for tots all the way up to seniors, and maintaining welcoming branches that reflect the diversity of their neighborhoods.”
According to the proposal’s spending plan, major investments include:
- Continued open hours across Seattle’s 27 neighborhood libraries ($176.1 million)
- Early literacy through multilingual Play & Learn sessions and other programs ($7.5 million)
- Social service referrals ($1.2 million)
- Security personnel ($11 million)
- Additional all-ages programs such as story times, literacy programs, classes and workshops, and events ($12.6 million)
- Increased security and emergency preparedness ($7.7 million)
- Establishment of an Office of Inclusion and Belonging ($2.4 million)
- Expanded physical books and materials to maintain the library’s collection of 2.9 million items ($30.8 million)
- Fine-free borrowing ($9 million)
- Collections and shelving staff ($14 million)
- Additional e-books, audiobooks and multilingual books ($4.6 million)
The proposal sets aside funding for routine and major maintenance, including:
- Facility maintenance and custodial support, furniture, capital improvement staffing ($57 million) and administration ($6.7 million)
- A seismic retrofit of the historic Columbia Branch ($13 million)
- Priority and deferred maintenance for library locations ($10 million)
- Additional maintenance and custodial support ($5.9 million)
Technology investments include:
- Public and staff computers, printing and copying services, Wi-Fi hotspots, and staffing for Information Technology and Online Services ($25.8 million)
- Strengthening IT systems and cybersecurity ($7.4 million)
- Upgrading IT infrastructure ($5 million)
The first Select Committee meeting, which will include an overview of the 2019 Library Levy, is scheduled for March 11. The Select Committee will vote on a final proposal to place on the ballot in August 2026. Rivera will lead the council’s levy renewal process as chair of the Select Committee on the Library Levy.
“I want to thank Mayor Wilson’s office for their collaboration on this levy renewal,” Rivera said. “Any time we can work together on projects like this, the City benefits.”
If the updated package is approved by the City Council, it would go to voters on the Aug. 4, 2026, ballot. More information is available on The Seattle Public Library’s website.
The Seattle Mariners have a new pitcher, and it’s one they’re quite familiar with.
Cal Raleigh has soreness in side, out of Mariners’ lineup again
Longtime former Los Angeles Angels left-hander José Suarez was claimed by the Mariners on Sunday off waivers from the Atlanta Braves. To make room on the 40-man roster, Seattle designated Triple-A outfielder Rhylan Thomas for assignment.
The Mariners (16-18 entering Sunday) and the MLB-leading Braves (24-10) are set to begin a three-game series at Seattle’s T-Mobile Park on Monday night.
The 28-year-old Suarez is in his eighth MLB season, the first six of which were with the Angels. Because of his long tenure playing for a Mariners AL West rival, Suarez has played against the Mariners (14 games, 10 starts, 59 1/3 innings) more than any other MLB team.
Braves star Acuña to 10-day IL, out for series vs. Mariners
Suarez had a 6.61 ERA in eight games (one start) and 16 1/3 innings for the Braves this season. He first joined the Braves last year.
The Braves designated Suarez for assignment on Friday.
The best seasons of Suarez’s career were in 2021 and 2022 with the Angels, both years in which he went 8-8 with an ERA below 4.00 and WHIP under 1.25.
The Mariners had to scramble to fill a spot in the bullpen this week when right-hander Matt Brash went on the injured list with right lat inflammation. They initially called up left-hander Josh Simpson from Triple-A Tacoma just before their game against Kansas City on Friday night, then replaced Simpson by calling up Nick Davila from Double-A Arkansas on Saturday.
Thomas, 26, made his MLB debut last season, appearing in three games for the Mariners. This year in Triple-A, he’s has a .260/.313/.328 slash line for a .641 OPS with two home runs in 31 games. Thomas was an 11th-round MLB Draft pick in 2022 out of USC by the New York Mets.
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Seattle Mariners slugger Cal Raleigh is day-to-day with “general soreness” after being pulled from the lineup before Saturday’s game, manager Dan Wilson told reporters after a 3-2 loss in 10 innings against the Kansas City Royals.
Wilson said Raleigh underwent imaging, though he did not specify what on, and the team will assess their star catcher’s status Sunday.
“We’re trying to be as cautious as possible,” Wilson said.
Raleigh was originally slated to start at catcher and bat second in the middle game of the three-game series, but he was scratched from the lineup about 90 minutes before first pitch.
Mitch Garver got the start in place of Raleigh and went 1 for 4 at the plate and struck out three times, including to lead off the 10th inning.
Saturday’s game was the first Raleigh has missed this season. He had started 32 of the previous 33, including 25 at catcher, and came in as a pinch-hitter in the only game he didn’t start.
Raleigh is batting .186 with a .652 OPS, seven homers and four doubles this season. He has hit five home runs in his past 10 games.
Raleigh finished as the American League MVP runner-up during a record-setting campaign in 2025. He led baseball with 60 home runs, setting single-season MLB records for most home runs by a catcher and switch-hitter, as well as the Mariners’ single-season homer mark. Raleigh also drove in an AL-best 125 RBIs while hitting .247 with a .948 OPS.
The Mariners added a third catcher to their 26-man roster shortly after Raleigh was scratched from the lineup. Jhonny Pereda was called up from Triple-A Tacoma and infielder Will Wilson was placed on the 10-day injured list with fractured left thumb.
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Reliever Nick Davila is making the jump from Double-A to the big leagues to join the Seattle Mariners.
The Mariners announced they selected Davila’s contract from Double-A Arkansas on Saturday.
Joel Sherman of MLB Network and The New York Post first reported the right-hander was being promoted to the major leagues earlier in the day.
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In a corresponding move, left-hander Josh Simpson was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma.
Davila filled the last open spot on the Mariners’ 40-man roster.
Davila, 27, has pitched in eight games with the Travelers this season, posting a 2.00 ERA and 0.78 WHIP with 10 strikeouts to one walk over nine innings of work. He’s held opponents to a .182 batting average.
Davila also pitched in seven games for the Mariners during spring training, compiling 6.75 ERA and six strikeouts over 5 1/3 innings.
Davila, who signed a minor league contract with the Mariners in March 2023, is in his fourth year in the organization. He pitched across three levels of the minors in 2023, including making three starts for Triple-A Tacoma, his only experience above Double-A during his pro career.
In 2024, the Hialeah, Fla., native pitched in 13 games with a 4.98 ERA over 18 2/3 innings for High-A Everett.
Last season, Davila appeared in 39 games at Double-A. He had a 3.55 ERA over 50 2/3 innings.
Davila went undrafted out of South Florida in 2020 before signing a minor league deal with the Detroit Tigers a month after the draft. He made his pro debut the following season with Detroit’s Single-A affiliate.
Simpson, 28, was called up by the Mariners on Friday when right-hander Matt Brash was placed on the 15-day injured list with right lat inflammation. He has yet to pitch in a big league game this season.
In nine appearances with Tacoma prior to be called up, Simpson had a 0.96 ERA and 0.96 WHIP with 12 strikeouts and six walks allowed over 9 1/3 innings.
Simpson pitched in 31 games as a rookie for the Miami Marlins last season, posting a 7.34 ERA over 30 2/3 innings.
The Mariners continue a three-game series with the Kansas City Royals on Saturday at 6:40 p.m. Radio coverage on Seattle Sports 710 AM and the Seattle Sports app begins with the pregame show at 5:30 p.m.
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