On Wednesday, July 23rd, WPEA members and staff gathered at the downtown Vancouver I-5 overpass to wave signs in support of Proposition 1 for Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries (FVRL). Standing in the high heat of the day and sending a clear message. Libraries matter, and so does the public funding that keeps them running.

Prop 1 asks voters to restore the library property tax rate to $0.50 per $1,000 of assessed value beginning in 2026. This is the same rate voters approved in 2010, just adjusted for inflation. That funding accounts for 96% of FVRL’s entire budget. It’s what allows libraries to stay open in four counties, serving over half a million residents. If it passes, it means longer open hours (an estimated 91 extra hours per week across the district), 18 new full-time staff positions, upgraded technology, more materials and programming, and even a new bookmobile to better serve rural and underserved areas.

The alternative? Deep cuts. A NO vote would slash library services by 30%, force the elimination more than 75 jobs, cancel expansion plans, and potentially close the Vancouver Mall branch by 2028. Libraries are more than just book lenders, they’re community hubs, education centers, internet access points, and safe spaces for learning. WPEA stands firmly behind Prop 1 because we believe in accessible public services, and we know that strong libraries strengthen our communities.