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Sno-Isle Libraries

{{Short description|Public library system in Washington state}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}}

{{Infobox library

| library_name = Sno-Isle Libraries

| logo = Sno-Isle Libraries logo.svg

| logo_size =

| image = Marysville, WA public library - 01.jpg

| image_size =

| caption = The Marysville branch of Sno-Isle Libraries, opened in 1995

| type = Public library

| established = December 17, 1962

| service_area = Island and Snohomish counties, Washington

| coordinates = {{coord|48|03|46|N|122|11|09|W|display=inline,title}}

| num_branches = 23

| collection_size = 1.56 million items

| req_to_access =

| annual_circulation = 7.4 million

| pop_served = 800,969

| members = 431,010

| budget = $77 million (2023){{cite web |date=November 21, 2022 |title=2023 Adopted Budget |url=https://www.sno-isle.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/90/2022/12/2023-Adopted-Budget.pdf |publisher=Sno-Isle Libraries |accessdate=March 5, 2024}}

| director = Eric Howard

| num_employees = 363

| website = {{URL|http://www.sno-isle.org/|sno-isle.org}}

| references = Washington Public Library Statistical Report, 2022{{cite web |date=September 2023 |title=2022 Washington Public Library Statistical Report |pages=64–66, 70, 74 |url=https://apps.sos.wa.gov/_assets/library/libraries/libdev/2022stats.pdf |publisher=Washington State Library |accessdate=March 5, 2024}}

}}

Sno-Isle Libraries is a public library system serving Island and Snohomish counties in the U.S. state of Washington. The system is among the largest in Washington state and has an annual circulation of 11 million materials. The library's 23 branches and bookmobile services reach every incorporated city in the two counties, with the exception of Everett (which retains its own municipal system) and Woodway. Sno-Isle was formed in 1962, from the merger of two systems serving each county that were established in 1944 and 1962.

History

While cities in Island and Snohomish counties established their own libraries in the early 20th century, the first inter-city system was created by voters in unincorporated Snohomish County in 1944.{{cite news |date=April 28, 1965 |title=Sno-Isle Regional Library celebrating anniversaries |page=3 |work=The Enterprise |location=Lynnwood, Washington}} The system's creation was spurred by the state legislature's approval of rural library districts in 1941.{{cite news |date=September 20, 1944 |title=Rural Areas Seek Vote On Libraries |page=1 |work=The Everett Herald}} The new Snohomish County Library was temporarily headquartered in the basement of the separate Everett Public Library before moving to another building in Everett. The system's first library was in Alderwood Manor;{{cite news |date=April 22, 1965 |title=Sno-Isle Library Plans to Move This Year Into $215,000 Building |page=A1 |work=The Everett Herald |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-herald-sno-isle-library-plans/142719543/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=March 5, 2024}} the first bookmobile was purchased in 1947.{{cite news |last=Heath |first=Susan |date=March 1, 1965 |title=Sno-Isle Librarian Emily Wilson 'Never Wavered From Career Choice' |page=A10 |work=The Everett Herald |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-herald-sno-isle-librarian-emil/142719563/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=March 5, 2024}}

The state government sponsored demonstration library and bookmobile projects on Camano and Whidbey islands in 1961, which created interest in establishing an Island County system.{{cite web |title=50th Anniversary Celebration in 2012 |url=https://sno-isle.org/events/50th-celebration |publisher=Sno-Isle Libraries |accessdate=January 5, 2018}} The Island County Rural Library District was established by voters in November 1962 and merged with the Snohomish County system on December 17,{{Cite act |date=December 17, 1962 |type=Resolution |legislature=Snohomish County Council |title=Establishes an inter-county rural library district |url=https://snohomish.county.codes/SCC/2.28 |accessdate=December 24, 2021}} forming the Snohomish-Island Inter-County Rural Library District.{{cite news |last=Salyer |first=Sharon |date=April 12, 2012 |title=50 years later, Sno-Isle Libraries 'bet' a success |url=http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20120412/NEWS01/704129903 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304111924/http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20120412/NEWS01/704129903 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=January 5, 2018}}{{cite web |title=Sno-Isle Libraries history |url=https://www.sno-isle.org/about/history |publisher=Sno-Isle Libraries |accessdate=January 5, 2018}}

The new library system was named "Sno-Isle" to reflect the two counties.{{cite news |date=February 27, 1963 |title=New name for regional library |page=2 |work=The Enterprise |location=Lynnwood, Washington}} A new headquarters building near Marysville was constructed in 1965. Initially, the Sno-Isle Regional Library signed contracts with incorporated cities to operate their libraries and join the system for a fixed amount.{{cite news |date=December 28, 1969 |title=Lynnwood Civic Center Near |page=F5 |work=The Seattle Times}} Rural branches would rely on property taxes generated within the district, as well as donations from organizations and members of the community.{{cite news |last=Macdonald |first=Sally |date=January 14, 1981 |title=Friends come to rescue of library |page=G4 |work=The Seattle Times}} The library system purchased and installed its first computerized catalog system in 1983.{{cite news |last=Enbysk |first=Monte |date=July 6, 1983 |title=Push a button and get a book in Marysville |page=A3 |work=The Everett Herald |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-herald-push-a-button-and-get-a/157529158/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=October 20, 2024}} Incorporated cities began voting to annex themselves into the Sno-Isle district in the late 1980s,{{cite news |last=Brooks |first=Diane |date=August 9, 2006 |title=No library cards?! Families' petition spurs Sept. 19 vote |page=H3 |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/?date=20060809&slug=woodway09n |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=January 5, 2018}} with promises of new libraries and potential cost savings over the contracted service.{{cite news |last=Bergsman |first=Jerry |date=December 8, 1987 |title=Sno-Island library system looks for levy help |page=D3 |work=The Seattle Times}}

A major levy lift of 9 cents per $1,000 in assessed property value was approved by voters in May 2018 by a margin of less than 0.5 percent.{{cite news |last=Bray |first=Kari |date=May 5, 2018 |title=Sno-Isle Libraries levy officially passes by less than ½% |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/library-levy-squeezes-by-with-less-than-half-a-percentage-point/ |work=The Everett Herald |accessdate=February 6, 2025}} All Sno-Isle branches were closed in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but reopened with curbside pick-up service three months later.{{cite news |last=Bruestle |first=Sara |date=June 18, 2020 |title=Curbside service beckons bookworms to downtown Everett library |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/life/curbside-service-beckons-bookworms-at-downtown-everett-library/ |work=The Everett Herald |accessdate=May 9, 2021}} In-person services resumed at some branches in early 2021.{{cite news |last=Dennis |first=Ellen |date=March 6, 2021 |title=Shrinking the 'digital divide,' area libraries slowly reopen |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/shrinking-the-digital-divide-area-libraries-slowly-reopen/ |work=The Everett Herald |accessdate=May 9, 2021}}

In 2024, the city government of Everett proposed a consolidation of their city libraries with Sno-Isle to address a budget deficit.{{cite news |last=Nash |first=Ashley |date=January 11, 2024 |title=Amid deficit, Everett eyes joining fire authority, Sno-Isle libraries |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/amid-deficit-everett-eyes-joining-fire-authority-sno-isle-libraries/ |work=The Everett Herald |accessdate=March 5, 2024}} The Everett Public Library's board of trustees opposed the proposal, which would require voter approval.{{cite news |last=Nash |first=Ashley |date=February 20, 2024 |title=Everett library trustees 'ideally' don't want to merge with Sno-Isle |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/everett-library-trustees-ideally-dont-want-to-merge-with-sno-isle/ |work=The Everett Herald |accessdate=March 5, 2024}}

Branches

File:Mariner demonstration library, Everett, WA.jpg

{{As of|2018}}, the Sno-Isle Libraries system has 23 branches.{{cite news |last=Bray |first=Kari |date=January 2, 2018 |title=Sno-Isle library to open in Smokey Point, in leased space |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/demonstration-library-set-to-open-in-smokey-point/ |work=The Everett Herald |accessdate=January 5, 2018}} They serve every city in Island and Snohomish counties, with the exception of two cities: Everett, which has its own system, and Woodway, which had contracted service until 1978. The system covers an area of {{convert|2,260|sqmi|sqkm}} and a population of over 700,000 residents.{{cite web |title=Sno-Isle Libraries at a glance |url=https://www.sno-isle.org/?pg=at-a-glance |publisher=Sno-Isle Libraries |accessdate=January 5, 2018}}

Two locations, in the Mariner area of Everett and Smokey Point area of Arlington, are "demonstration" libraries that are in leased retail spaces that precede a permanent branch.{{cite news |last=Bray |first=Kari |date=February 9, 2017 |title=Everett community finally gets long-awaited library |url=http://www.heraldnet.com/news/everett-community-finally-gets-long-awaited-library/ |work=The Everett Herald |accessdate=January 5, 2018}} The Camano Island location was formerly a demonstration library that was replaced by a permanent branch in 2015. A permanent library for the Mariner neighborhood is planned to begin construction in 2026 as part of a mixed-use development.{{cite news |last=Gates |first=Sophia |date=June 5, 2024 |title=Coming soon: A Sno-Isle library on the ground floor, with housing above |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/coming-soon-a-sno-isle-library-on-the-ground-floor-with-housing-above/ |work=The Everett Herald |accessdate=June 5, 2024}}

class="wikitable sortable"

! rowspan=2 | Name

! rowspan=2 | Annexed{{cite web |title=Library Service Providers Listed by County |url=https://mrsc.org/Home/Explore-Topics/Governance/Forms-of-Government-and-Organization/Special-Purpose-Districts-in-Washington/Library-Service-Providers-Listed-by-County.aspx |publisher=Municipal Research and Services Center |accessdate=March 12, 2022}}

! rowspan=2 | Building opened{{cite news |last=Bray |first=Kari |date=May 16, 2016 |title=Sno-Isle Libraries seek input on 10-year growth plan |url=http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20160516/NEWS01/160519361 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160517101502/http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20160516/NEWS01/160519361 |archive-date=May 17, 2016 |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=January 5, 2018}}

! colspan=2 | Floor space

sq ft

! sq m

Arlington

|

| align=right | {{dts|1981}}

| {{convert|5,000|sqft|sqm|disp=table}}

Brier

|

| align=right | {{dts|1996}}

| {{convert|2,800|sqft|sqm|disp=table}}

Camano Island

|

| align=right | {{dts|2015}}

| {{convert|4,900|sqft|sqm|disp=table}}

Clinton

|

| align=right | {{dts|2000}}

| {{convert|1,300|sqft|sqm|disp=table}}

Coupeville

|

| align=right | {{dts|2010}}

| {{convert|6,000|sqft|sqm|disp=table}}

Darrington

| align=right | {{dts|2008}}

| align=right | {{dts|2009}}

| {{convert|5,000|sqft|sqm|disp=table}}

Edmonds

| align=right | {{dts|2001}}

| align=right | {{dts|1982}}

| {{convert|20,000|sqft|sqm|disp=table}}

Freeland

|

| align=right | {{dts|2006}}

| {{convert|4,800|sqft|sqm|disp=table}}

Granite Falls

|

| align=right | {{dts|2001}}

| {{convert|6,500|sqft|sqm|disp=table}}

Lake Stevens

| align=right | {{dts|2008}}

| align=right | {{dts|1985}}

| {{convert|2,500|sqft|sqm|disp=table}}

{{sort|Lakewood Smokey Point|Lakewood/Smokey Point}}{{cite news |last=Buell |first=Douglas |date=December 13, 2017 |title=Lakewood/Smokey Point Library to celebrate grand opening in January |url=http://www.marysvilleglobe.com/news/lakewoodsmokey-point-library-to-celebrate-grand-opening-in-january/ |work=Marysville Globe |accessdate=January 5, 2018}}

|

| align=right | {{dts|2018}}

| {{convert|4,000|sqft|sqm|disp=table}}

Langley

| align=right | {{dts|2012}}

| align=right | {{dts|1923}}

| {{convert|3,500|sqft|sqm|disp=table}}

Lynnwood

|

| align=right | {{dts|1999}}

| {{convert|25,900|sqft|sqm|disp=table}}

Mariner (Everett){{cite web |title=Mariner Library - Meeting Rooms and Other Services |url=https://sno-isle.org/locations/mariner/about |publisher=Sno-Isle Libraries |accessdate=January 5, 2018}}

|

| align=right | {{dts|2017}}

| {{convert|3,700|sqft|sqm|disp=table}}

Marysville

| align=right | {{dts|1968}}

| align=right | {{dts|1995}}

| {{convert|23,000|sqft|sqm|disp=table}}

Mill Creek

|

| align=right | {{dts|1992}}

| {{convert|7,400|sqft|sqm|disp=table}}

Monroe

| align=right | {{dts|1966}}

| align=right | {{dts|2002}}

| {{convert|20,000|sqft|sqm|disp=table}}

Mountlake Terrace

| align=right | {{dts|1985}}

| align=right | {{dts|1988}}

| {{convert|12,800|sqft|sqm|disp=table}}

Mukilteo

| align=right | {{dts|1996}}

| align=right | {{dts|1998}}

| {{convert|15,000|sqft|sqm|disp=table}}

Oak Harbor

|

| align=right | {{dts|1993}}

| {{convert|11,200|sqft|sqm|disp=table}}

Snohomish

|

| align=right | {{dts|2003}}

| {{convert|23,000|sqft|sqm|disp=table}}

Stanwood

|

| align=right | {{dts|1986}}

| {{convert|5,400|sqft|sqm|disp=table}}

Sultan

| align=right | {{dts|2008}}

| align=right | {{dts|1999}}

| {{convert|4,400|sqft|sqm|disp=table}}

Operations

The Sno-Isle Libraries system is headquartered at an administration and processing center on the Tulalip Indian Reservation, west of Marysville.{{cite web |title=Administrative & Service Center |url=https://sno-isle.org/about/servicecenter/ |publisher=Sno-Isle Libraries |accessdate=January 5, 2018}} It is governed by a seven-member board of trustees, of whom two are appointed by Island County and five by Snohomish County.{{cite web |title=Sno-Isle Regional Library Board Of Trustees |url=https://snohomishcountywa.gov/167/Sno-Isle-Regional-Library-Board-Of-Trust |publisher=Snohomish County |accessdate=January 5, 2018}} The system is overseen by an executive director that is appointed by the board of trustees. Jonalyn Woolf-Ivory, a longtime library employee, was appointed as executive director in 2002 and retired in 2018.{{cite news |last=Reardon |first=Kate |date=March 25, 2002 |title=Sno-Isle library hires chief |url=http://www.heraldnet.com/news/sno-isle-library-hires-chief/ |work=The Everett Herald |accessdate=January 5, 2018}}{{cite news |last=Bray |first=Kari |date=May 21, 2018 |title=Sno-Isle Libraries executive director retiring after 33 years |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/sno-isle-libraries-executive-director-retiring-after-33-years/ |work=The Everett Herald |accessdate=February 16, 2019}}

The library system has annual expenditures of $77 million and revenues of $74 million. {{As of|2017}}, 98 percent of revenue was generated by a property tax levied on all properties within the district.{{cite news |last=Stevick |first=Eric |date=December 1, 2017 |title=Sno-Isle Libraries will have to make cuts or go to voters |url=http://www.heraldnet.com/news/sno-isle-libraries-will-have-to-make-cuts-or-go-to-voters/ |work=The Everett Herald |accessdate=January 5, 2018}} The remaining two percent of revenue were sourced from a timber excise tax, a leasehold excise tax, contract fees from municipal governments, and donations.{{cite web |title=Funding sources |url=https://www.sno-isle.org/funding/sources |publisher=Sno-Isle Libraries |accessdate=January 5, 2018}}

In 2022, Sno-Isle had a total circulation of 7.4 million items, placing it third in Washington behind the King County Library System and Seattle Public Library. It had the state's fifth-highest turnover rate, at 4.74 checkouts per item.{{rp|22}}

References

{{reflist}}

External links

{{Commons category}}

  • {{official website|sno-isle.org}}
  • [http://www.worldcat.org/libraries/16410 Sno-Isle Libraries] at WorldCat
  • [http://librarytechnology.org/diglib-fulldisplay.pl?SID=20140807654174804&code=lwc&RC=3084&Row=2 Sno-Isle Libraries] at LibraryTechnology.org

{{Washington library systems}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:County library systems in Washington (state)

Category:Education in Island County, Washington

Category:Education in Snohomish County, Washington