• If Mill Creek loses its library, city residents lose borrowing privileges at all Sno-Isle libraries:  A "no" vote on September 14 means that Mill Creek residents will no longer be able to borrow books, dvds, videos, or any other library materials from ANY of the Sno-Isle libraries.
• Libraries make kids succeed:  "Reading is a basic life skill.  It is a cornerstone for a child's success in school and, indeed, throughout life.  Without the ability to read well, opportunities for personal fulfillment and job success inevitably will be lost."  Becoming a Nation of Readers: a report of the commission on Reading, 1985.
• Libraries are a public good:  we need schools, parks, clean air and water, transportation systems, public libraries, and other manifestations of the public good because they benefit all of society, the economy, and the common culture.
• Libraries open up new worlds:  "Libraries acquire the books we cannot afford, retain the many of which we are ignorant, preserve what we prize and would adore."  --William Grass
• Libraries are democratic:  "Perhaps no place in any community is so totally democratic as the town library.  The only entrance requirement is interest."  --Lady Bird Johnson.
• The Internet is no substitute for a library:  The internet is a mile wide and an inch (or less) deep, quality control does not exist, and very few substantive materials are available on the Net for free.  For example, only about 8% of journals are on the Web, and an even smaller fraction of books are there."  --Mark Herring, "10 Reasons why the Internet is No Substitute for a Library", American Libraries.
• Libraries are a bargain:  "You wasted $150,000 on an education you could've gotten for $1.50 in late fees at the public library."  --Matt Damon as "Will Hunting" in the film, Good Will Hunting.
• Libraries inform citizens: "The public library is the only institution in American society whose purpose is to guard against the tyrannies of ignorance and conformity, and its existence indicates the extent to which a democratic society values knowledge, truth, justice, books, and culture." --"12 Ways Libraries are Good for the Country", American Libraries.
• Libraries level the playing field: By making all its resources equally available to all members of its community, regardless of income, class, or other factors, the library serves as the great leveler.
• Libraries connect lives:  Libraries not only serve as a gathering place for the local community, but help people connect across distances. "By using one of the library's online databases, I was able to find a locate an army buddy I knew 50 years ago.  I also located 15 of my old high school classmates."  --anonymous Mill Creek Library patron, 5/21/04

FACTS ABOUT LIBRARY ANNEXATION

On September 14, 2004 Mill Creek residents will decide whether the City of Mill Creek should annex into the Sno-Isle Regional Library System. Below are some answers to commonly asked questions about annexation:

What is annexation? 

Annexation allows cities and towns to join the Library District, rather than contract for services. Citizens are taxed directly for library services, in the same way citizens in unincorporated Snohomish County fund library services. The levy rate in 2004 for Sno-Isle residents is 50¢/$1,000 assessed value. By state law, property owners will pay no more than 50¢ per $1,000 assessed property value. This maximum levy rate was set by the Legislature, and can only be increased or decreased by a vote in the Legislature.

Annexation equalizes the amount paid for library services by unincorporated and City residents.

Twelve Sno-Isle communities are annexed: Edmonds, Mukilteo, Mountlake Terrace, Marysville, Oak Harbor, Snohomish, Brier, Arlington, Coupeville, Gold Bar, Granite Falls and Monroe.

How is annexation decided?   

Annexation is decided by a simple majority election.

What will annexation do?   

Annexation provides for long-term library service to a community. Decisions as to the operation of the library building itself will continue to be made by a locally appointed library board.

How does Mill Creek currently get library service?

Under the existing arrangement, the City owns the library building, but contracts for staff, materials and library services with the Library District by paying an annual fee. In 2004, that fee is $530,000. City residents pay no library taxes, but library users who live outside the City pay property taxes directly to the Library District. The Library District takes the Citys annual fee and combines it with these property tax dollars to pay for operating the library. 

If Mill Creek residents agree to annex into the Library District, the City will discontinue the annual fee for service, and the same property tax levy now paid by residents in the unincorporated area will be added to the property tax bill of City property owners. 

Will library service change if annexation is successful?         

No. Sno-Isle Libraries will continue to provide library services to Mill Creek. The only difference is that the money to pay for this service will come exclusively from Sno-Isle's property tax receipts, and will not include an annual payment from the City. You will be taxed for library services beginning in January 2006.

Will library service change if annexation fails? 

Yes. The City of Mill Creek plans to cancel the agreement for library service and thus, the Library will close on December 31, 2005 if annexation is not approved. In addition, if the annexation fails, residents of the City of Mill Creek will not be able to check out books from other Sno-Isle libraries.

Does this mean my property taxes will go up if annexation is approved? 

Yes. This would be a new tax for residents of the City of Mill Creek. This year, the Library District regular tax levy is 50¢ /$1,000 of assessed value. Under state law, this regular tax levy rate is capped at 50 cents/$1,000. Owners of a home assessed at $300,000 would pay $150 this year for library service.

What will happen with the money the city has been using to pay for the library contract? 

The City of Mill Creek has stated that the revenue previously dedicated to the library contract fee will be used to fund and maintain other, existing city services.

What will the ballot say?  

Shall the City of Mill Creek be annexed to and be part of Sno-Isle Regional Library System?

£Yes               £No

How can I find out more?

The City of Mill Creek and Sno-Isle Libraries held two public information meetings on August 16. These meetings were to inform citizens about the September 14 ballot measure in which Mill Creek voters will decide on annexation to the Sno-Isle Library District. The City's presentation can be viewed in pdf format.