New State Legislators Respond to Library Issues Survey

As part of our shared advocacy work, the Foundation and the Friends of the Seattle Public Library invited candidates running in Seattle’s Washington State Legislative Districts to take a short survey about library issues.

Below are the responses from the newly elected members of the State House of Representatives for the 46th, 37th, and 36th Districts (find out what district you live in here).

And join our advocacy efforts by signing up for the Public Library Action Network here. You’ll receive updates on policy decisions and funding opportunities that impact The Seattle Public Library at the local, state, and federal levels, and learn about how you can take action to help keep the Library strong.

46th Legislative District: Darya Farivar

Nearest Seattle Public Library Branch: Lake City

Which of the following Library programs or services do you most value? (select up to five)

  • B
  • Cultural programming (i.e. author lectures, Seattle Reads, Seattle Writes, Short Story Dispenser)
  • Immigrant/refugee resources (i.e. English for Speakers of Other Languages, citizenship classes, Somali Books)
  • Job skills (i.e. technology skills classes, Your Next Job, writing assistance, resume support)
  • Library Equal Access Program (accessible programs, services, and assistive resources)
  • Older adult programs (i.e. book groups, Next Chapter retirement planning, Technology for Beginners)
  • Seattle history (i.e. archives, genealogy, Special Collections)
  • Small business assistance (i.e. business research tools, nonprofit support, legal assistance/access)
  • Youth programs (i.e. Story Time, Summer of Learning, Global Reading Challenge, Homework Help, virtual tutoring)
  • Other (please specify)

If you believe Washington State should play a role in funding local public libraries, what types of projects should the State consider funding? (select all that apply)

  • Capital/safety building improvements (external, i.e. seismic retrofitting)
  • Climate mitigation improvements (i.e. air conditioning, air filtration)
  • Collections (e-books, digital materials, physical materials)
  • Expansion of new or existing library branches
  • Programming (i.e. youth, older adults, immigrants, small businesses)
  • Educational supports (i.e. partnerships with public schools, literacy instruction)
  • I do not believe the State should play a role in funding local public libraries
  • Other (please specify)

Are there any policy issues related to libraries that concern you?

Our libraries are a cornerstone of our neighborhoods and communities. As Washington has continued to experience hotter, drier summers, I would like to see us invest in preparing our libraries to withstand extreme weather conditions. By retrofitting those without air conditioning, for example, we can continue to provide critical services for our communities throughout the summer months and offer a cooling location for those seeking shelter during the heat. Along with ensuring that our libraries are able to stay open year-round, I’m also interested in ensuring everyone has access to them. Many branches do not currently have accessible restrooms or entrances, and it is important for us to ensure that they have the resources they need to be inclusive and welcoming spaces for all. By supporting our libraries, we support building strong and thriving communities. I am committed to being an unwavering ally in this work.

37th Legislative District: Chipalo Street

Nearest Seattle Public Library Branch: Douglass-Truth

Which of the following Library programs or services do you most value? (select up to five)

  • B
  • Cultural programming (i.e. author lectures, Seattle Reads, Seattle Writes, Short Story Dispenser)
  • Immigrant/refugee resources (i.e. English for Speakers of Other Languages, citizenship classes, Somali Books)
  • Job skills (i.e. technology skills classes, Your Next Job, writing assistance, resume support)
  • Library Equal Access Program (accessible programs, services, and assistive resources)
  • Older adult programs (i.e. book groups, Next Chapter retirement planning, Technology for Beginners)
  • Seattle history (i.e. archives, genealogy, Special Collections)
  • Small business assistance (i.e. business research tools, nonprofit support, legal assistance/access)
  • Youth programs (i.e. Story Time, Summer of Learning, Global Reading Challenge, Homework Help, virtual tutoring)
  • Other (please specify)

If you believe Washington State should play a role in funding local public libraries, what types of projects should the State consider funding? (select all that apply)

  • Capital/safety building improvements (external, i.e. seismic retrofitting)
  • Climate mitigation improvements (i.e. air conditioning, air filtration)
  • Collections (e-books, digital materials, physical materials)
  • Expansion of new or existing library branches
  • Programming (i.e. youth, older adults, immigrants, small businesses)
  • Educational supports (i.e. partnerships with public schools, literacy instruction)
  • I do not believe the State should play a role in funding local public libraries
  • Other (please specify)

Are there any policy issues related to libraries that concern you?
[No response]

36th Legislative District: Julia Reed

Nearest Seattle Public Library Branch: Queen Anne

Which of the following Library programs or services do you most value? (select up to five)

  • B
  • Cultural programming (i.e. author lectures, Seattle Reads, Seattle Writes, Short Story Dispenser)
  • Immigrant/refugee resources (i.e. English for Speakers of Other Languages, citizenship classes, Somali Books)
  • Job skills (i.e. technology skills classes, Your Next Job, writing assistance, resume support)
  • Library Equal Access Program (accessible programs, services, and assistive resources)
  • Older adult programs (i.e. book groups, Next Chapter retirement planning, Technology for Beginners)
  • Seattle history (i.e. archives, genealogy, Special Collections)
  • Small business assistance (i.e. business research tools, nonprofit support, legal assistance/access)
  • Youth programs (i.e. Story Time, Summer of Learning, Global Reading Challenge, Homework Help, virtual tutoring)
  • Other (please specify)

If you believe Washington State should play a role in funding local public libraries, what types of projects should the State consider funding? (select all that apply)

  • Capital/safety building improvements (external, i.e. seismic retrofitting)
  • Climate mitigation improvements (i.e. air conditioning, air filtration)
  • Collections (e-books, digital materials, physical materials)
  • Expansion of new or existing library branches
  • Programming (i.e. youth, older adults, immigrants, small businesses)
  • Educational supports (i.e. partnerships with public schools, literacy instruction)
  • I do not believe the State should play a role in funding local public libraries
  • Other (please specify)

Are there any policy issues related to libraries that concern you?

Libraries are essential to our communities and our state. My earliest memories are of the children’s section at the Northeast Library. I worked in an independent children’s bookstore in Seattle as my first job in high school, which served many librarians. My refuge from bullying as a child was my school library. I will fight always to protect and expand our libraries.