(The Center Square) – Spokane Public Library officials say without another $2.3 million from the city in 2027, they may have to close every branch two days a week and lay off around two dozen employees.
Executive Director Andrew Chanse and Finance Director Nicole Edwards told the SPL Board of Trustees on Thursday that the system faces a negative cash balance of roughly $2.5 million by the end of 2027.
Edwards said the bridge request would serve as cost recovery, after Chanse said SPL cut costs by $1.5 million over the last few years due to receiving relatively flat funding from the city council. The general fund accounts for roughly 82% of SPL’s revenues, with the dedicated library levy filling the remainder.…