Fund Our Libraries Now

11/13/2025

We hope to see many of you at the celebration of expanded main library hours (finally) this Sunday at 10am at Loucks Auditorium!

09/19/2025

Be sure to take the Salem Public Library survey. We still have the worst funded major public library in Oregon with inadequate hours, collections (especially ebooks and audiobooks), and programming. The levy saved the library from disaster but funding is still inadequate. The West Salem Branch needs to get back to the six day schedule it once had. We need to get started on the two new branch libraries that were included in the 2022 bond measure. So much improvement is needed!

Share your ideas to help shape the future of Salem Public Library services! In May 2025, voters in Salem passed a levy to provide new funding for the Salem Public Library and other community services.

Share your thoughts on how we can provide the best library experience for YOU and our community. Whether you are a regular library user or haven’t used library services in quite a while, we want to know:

- Which hours should the library be open?

- What would make it easier for you to use the library?

- How can we improve library services?

Take the survey today: https://salemor.gov/2025-library-survey

08/25/2025

It's now been over three months since 58% of Salem voters voted to increase their taxes to increase open hours at our public library. On July 1, the library had the budget for this. Here we are almost to September and we've seen no progress. Yes, it takes time to hire and train staff but must we wait much longer? The City Council should insist on doing what it takes to open the library, at least on Sundays (only four more hours), by October 1st.

06/25/2025

Here is how the Livability Levy fared in the eight Salem City Council wards. Wards 2 (South Central) and 1 (North Central) knocked it out of the park. Wards 3 (Southeast) and 7 (Southwest) also passed it with big margins. It only lost in Ward 5 (Northeast). They are supposed to get a branch library from the 2022 bond measure so perhaps when we have to renew this they will like it better.

05/28/2025

Just to take one last victory lap on the Livability Levy ... last September only 22% of "likely voters" told pollsters they were "certain" to vote for a levy at 75¢/1,000 (less than the 98¢/1,000 that passed). A week ago we won by 58% and nearly 60% in Marion County. A lot of "likely voters" didn't vote, and a large percentage of the 6,400 library users that we reached with 80 hours of tabling at the library did. Library users were the secret weapon in the stunning victory.

05/26/2025

Yesterday members of our team tabled for the 12th time outside the library, just to say THANK YOU to all the library users who were the driving force behind the big win on the Livability Levy. We handed out special THANK YOU bookmarks and candy for the kids. City Librarian Bridget Esqueda joined us, which was terrific. It was a great celebration.

05/25/2025

We had six volunteers who attempted to retrieve all 375 lawn signs like the one below throughout the city. That effort has been completed, but it you still have a sign or if you see a sign still up please contact Jim Scheppke so we can get it. We may need them again in five years!

05/24/2025

Who would have predicted that the Livability Levy would win by nearly 20 points in Marion County? Thanks to all the library users and supporters who were mainly responsible for this.

05/21/2025

WE DID IT! And it wasn't even close. Library users were the key to victory. We engaged about 6,400 library users in 80 hours of tabling at the library and their votes made all the difference. Thanks to them! Now we can look forward to five years of more adequate library service including better hours at the West Salem Branch, Sunday service at the main library, evening hours at both libraries and a full range of reading programs for children. THANK YOU LIBRARY USERS AND SUPPORTERS!

05/19/2025

If we win the Livability Levy election tomorrow it may have a lot to do with 'yes' votes from thousands of library users and supporters. We tabled at the library every Saturday and most Wednesdays beginning in March, a total of 80 hours. We estimate that we engaged with 6,400 library users. Thanks to the 18 volunteers who helped with this!

05/18/2025

Have You Voted Yet?
This will be a close election. We need the vote of every library user and supporter. Don't wait. Vote today!

05/12/2025

West Salem has had its own branch library since 1957. But if the Livability Levy fails their library will close on July 1st. That's why we are having a rally at the bridge to West Salem this Thursday at 4:30 pm. West Salemites all need to VOTE for the sake of their children and their neighbors. They have the most at stake. Join us!