The Eugene Public Library plays a central and essential role in our community. It needs your voice.
BUDGET UPDATE 6/1/25: Results of the Budget Work Session
On Wednesday, May 28, the Budget Committee recommended that the City Council approve a modified 2025-2027 Amended Proposed Biennial Budget. With the 18% increase in the stormwater fee approved on May 21, the city expects to collect an additional $4.7 million.
The budget recommendation keeps the library from sustaining further budget losses for this budget cycle.
City Council will meet on Monday, June 23, 2025 at 7:30 p.m. for a public hearing and action on the budget.
NEXT UP: Renewing the Library Levy
The 2020 Library Levy will expire at the end of 2025. In May, 2026 Eugene voters will be able to approve the renewal of the library levy. Plan now to help advocate for passing the levy!
How does library funding work in Eugene?
Our local library receives 80% of its funding from the City of Eugene’s general fund. A levy, passed in 2020 by 77% of voters, funds another 17%. The remaining 3% is covered by private donations from Friends of the Eugene Public Library and The Eugene Public Library Foundation. In recent years, the library’s operating budget has been slashed by cuts to the city’s general fund, and is now operating with as few resources and staff as it can while maintaining the standard of service that patrons need. Library supporters are concerned that unless the City identifies other sources of revenue in the next budget cycle, it will face another 10% cut.
Sources of Library Funding
A Challenging Timeline for the Eugene Public Library
Spring 2025: A successful petition to put the Fire Services Fee to a public vote. The City Council voted to increase the Stormwater fee, which will net $4.7M. The budget committee recommended to the City Council to use those additional funds to maintain current library services for the next bienium.
Winter 2025: City Council passes the Fire Services Fee by a vote of 5-3, which avoids the most drastic cuts to the library. Those who voted for the fee include Councilors Kashinsky (Ward 1), Keating (Ward 2), Zelenka (Ward 3), Yeh (Ward 4), and Leech (Ward 7). Voting against the fee were Councilors Clark (Ward 5), Evans (Ward 6) and Groves (Ward 8). If you are inclined, you may want to reach out to your councilor and let them know what you thought of their vote.
Fall 2024: The library now operates at the lowest staffing level possible to maintain current hours. Zero dollars are earmarked for library materials in fiscal year 2025 - including physical books and periodicals, database subscriptions, The Library of Things, DVDs, streaming services, e-books, children’s materials, and more. If no other revenue sources are identified by the City of Eugene, further cuts await in the spring.
July 2024: Library staff announce changes to operating hours to compensate for stress on staff caused by cuts.
June 2024: Council approves 1.5 additional FTE cut to library staff (KLCC article).
September 2023: Staff struggle to maintain service level due to cuts. Programs are reduced, off-site outreach programs are eliminated, reshelving and processing is slowed, and staff are stretched thin.
June 2023: Council approves a 15% cut to the library’s operating budget. Staff report that materials and programming can no longer funded, if not for the levy and private donations.
June 2022: The Library Journal ranks Eugene Public Library in the top 3% in the nation for cost-effective delivery of services.
Cuts to the Eugene Public Library budget have significantly impacted the community.
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