“This is a strictly difficult decision, especially on the fail side,” FVRLibraries Executive Director Jennifer Giltrop told the board. “No one wants to fail, and no one wants to see our library system in decline.”
If the levy fails, the library system would make significant upfront reductions. With Trustees Irina Kakorina and Megan Dugan dissenting, the board voted 5-2 for a plan that would cut about 51 percent (352 hours per week) of branch and bookmobile hours districtwide between 2026 and 2030.
Over the next five years, spending on books and materials would be reduced by $675,000, and the Vancouver Mall Library would close in 2028 when the lease is up. No new libraries, bookmobiles or renovations would take place, according to a staff report.
In 2026, the library system would cut about 68 positions, a 30 percent staff reduction. Then, in 2029, another 40 positions would be cut, a 25 percent reduction.
If the levy passes, library branch and bookmobile hours would increase by 13 percent (781 hours every week), according to the plan trustees approved by a 5-2 vote. Trustees Marie Coffey and Dugan dissented.
That option would sustain the budget until 2035, which will allow for the district to continue investing in library materials and programming, according to a staff report. The plan would also add a new Clark County Bookmobile in 2026, a new Washougal Community Library building in 2027 and a new library in 2030. Staff positions would increase by an estimated 8 percent (91 hours every week districtwide).
FVRLibraries must keep $500,000 in the budget if the levy fails in order to place another levy lid lift on a future ballot, Giltrop said.
“There’s no easy answers to any of this, and there’s pros and cons on both sides,” Trustee Kristy Morgan said. “(This is) probably one of the toughest decisions I’ve had to make.”
