"Cutting libraries during a recession is like cutting hospitals during a plague." — Eleanor Crumblehulme

The Eugene Public Library plays a central and essential role in our community. It needs your voice.

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

The majority of the Eugene Public Library's funding comes from the city's General Fund. The library levy was passed by voters to ensure that the library maintained 160 operating hours between its three locations. The remainder comes from generous private donations, such as those made to the Eugene Public Library Foundation and book sales by the Friends.

A Challenging Timeline for the Eugene Public Library

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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