More Info on WC-1
This election, Washoe County voters will have the chance to secure the future of our libraries by renewing an existing source of funding that has been in place for 30 years already. This is not a new tax—it’s the continuation of a vital source of library funding. It is vital for services and infrastructure improvements in the future, and helped to create and sustain the award-winning services and facilities that our community enjoys today. It is the dedication of two cents for every $100 of assessed property value to directly fund the Washoe County Library System.
If this initiative passes, our libraries will continue to grow and improve, including:
- Renovating the South Valleys and Spanish Springs libraries.
- Building a brand-new North Valleys Library to meet the needs of our expanding community.
- Expanding outreach services like the Bookmobile and Book Vending Machines for the North Valleys, Spanish Springs, and South Valleys regions.
However, if this initiative fails, the consequences will be severe:
- Library staff will be laid off, reducing the vital human resources that make our libraries welcoming and helpful.
- The library book budget will be eliminated, cutting off access to new materials for our community.
- The technology budget will be slashed, hindering library efforts to offer modern services and digital access.
- Weekend and evening hours at library branches will be drastically cut, making it harder for working families to access resources.
Image by Bob Conrad at This Is Reno
A Legacy of Growth
This initiative isn’t new. In 1994, visionary Washoe County Library Director Martha Gould crafted the original tax override plan, inspired by Las Vegas' success in funding public libraries. Since then, this two-cent override has allowed us to build libraries in Northwest Reno, South Valleys, Incline Village, and Spanish Springs, weather the financial challenges of the 2008–2016 economic recession, and renovate essential branches like North Valleys, Downtown Reno, Sparks, and Sierra View.
Without the support of the community, many of these beloved library spaces simply wouldn’t exist today.
The Future of Washoe Libraries
Renewing this tax override is part of the Washoe County Library’s 2022–2025 Strategic Plan and Washoe County’s larger commitment to fiscal sustainability. Our plan is to continue providing essential services—from early literacy programs and workforce development to digital access and resources for seniors.
We encourage you to vote "Yes" on WC1 this November and help us secure the future of our libraries. With your support, we can continue to make Washoe County a place where everyone has access to learning, resources, and opportunities.
Let’s protect what we’ve built and ensure our libraries continue to thrive for generations to come!