Gov. Jay Inslee recently signed into law a bill that alters the process of dissolving library districts in response to an attempted dissolution in a southwestern Washington town.

Photo byFrancesca GrimaonUnsplash

The move came after a group in Columbia County pushed to eliminate the district due to concerns about inappropriate reading materials for children.

Changes to Library Dissolution Process

The bill, SB 5824, modifies state law by raising the required number of signatures on petitions to dissolve libraries from 100 taxpayers to 25% of eligible voters in the district. In addition, all qualified voters in the districts are now permitted to vote on the dissolution. The bipartisan bill passed with strong support in both the Senate and the House.

Impacts of the New Law

At the signing of the bill on March 26, Gov. Inslee emphasized the importance of allowing all affected voters to participate in decisions regarding their communities. He highlighted the value of libraries in providing essential resources and expressed satisfaction that the people of Dayton will continue to have access to quality reading materials.

In a statement, Sen. Sam Hunt, the sponsor of SB 5824, underscored the significance of ensuring every individual has a say in the fate of their library, rather than allowing minority opinions to dictate outcomes. By preventing the closure of the Dayton library over a book dispute, the bill aims to promote fairness and inclusivity in decision-making. The newly enacted law is scheduled to take effect on June 6.

What Are Your Thoughts?

• What do you think about the changes to the library dissolution process?
• Do you believe that increasing voter participation is essential in such decisions?
• How important are libraries in your community?

Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!