On March 28, the Whatcom County Library System’s (WCLS) Board of Trustees approved a library levy lid lift resolution for the Aug. 5, 2025, primary election ballot. If approved by a simple majority of voters, this resolution would “lift the lid” on the current levy rate for properties within the library system’s service boundary, which is Whatcom County outside the city limits of Bellingham. The proposition would restore the existing levy rate to $0.42 per $1,000 of assessed value.
The resolution language is available online. More information, including answers to frequently asked questions, may be found at wcls.org/levy.
“The library system is careful and intentional in managing resources, but it is apparent that we have come to a point where rising costs require action,” says WCLS Board of Trustees Vice Chair Matthew Santos. “The resolution to pursue a levy lid lift in August is a proactive step to support our libraries’ ability to maintain services and staff.”
As required by the Whatcom County Auditor’s Office and Washington State law, WCLS is seeking individuals to serve on the “For” and “Against” committees for the ballot measure. Members of the public who live within WCLS’s service area may email their interest along with their name, address, email and phone number to wclslevy@wcls.org. Or they may call (360) 305-3641 to provide the information and to indicate committee preference. The deadline to express interest is 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 15, 2025. The first three respondents for each committee will be selected.
In February and March of this year, WCLS staff held 11 budget listening sessions at county libraries and online. Feedback from community members who attended the meetings informed the board’s decision to place the levy lid lift measure on the ballot. Library staff are connecting with community groups to schedule additional presentations. For more information, email wclslevy@wcls.org.
About WCLS: Whatcom County Library System (WCLS) serves Whatcom County residents outside the city limits of Bellingham through online resources (wcls.org) and at 10 branches: Blaine, Deming, Everson, Ferndale, Island (Lummi Island), Lynden, North Fork (Kendall), Point Roberts, South Whatcom (Sudden Valley) and Sumas. WCLS also has a bookmobile (serving Glenhaven, Birch Bay, Wickersham and Lake Samish) and a Library Express on Northwest Drive. The Birch Bay Vogt Library Express is under construction funded by a state grant and private donations. In 2024, 61,846 WCLS cardholders checked out 2.1 million library items and 54,748 people attended 2,252 free library programs. Learn more about the county library system at wcls.org.