Missoula Public Library is funded through county property taxes. In 2000, the library campaigned for and received a five-year, 3.5 mill levy increase. Much of that increase went toward improving the physical building, but funds were also used to increase personnel, expand the library’s open hours, and nearly double the materials budget.

In 2006, voters approved a permanent levy of $995,000 per year, replacing the 3.5 mills approved in 2000. In the twenty years since, the county has grown, and so has demand for library services and resources. In response, we’ve added branches and mobile outreach, founded community partnerships, and made our buildings and operations more efficient (more on that here).

Voters backed a new library building in 2016, and MPL still receives grants and donations for certain programs and collections. Some donations are earmarked for specific purposes, and the Friends of the Library and Library Foundation also contribute to the materials budget from time to time, particularly when the library receives a bequest. Because earmarked funds can only be used for their designated purposes, they can’t cover unrelated everyday costs.

The $995,000 annual levy has remained in place since 2006, so library leaders need to make tough calls about what to fund until there’s enough support for a new “repeal and replace” levy. So far these tough calls have meant cutting some subscriptions and tightening our book budget. Despite these losses, here’s what we’re working to hold onto:

• Maintain enough staff so patrons can still get help finding what they need, even as some open positions go unfilled.
• Protect our print and digital collections, including materials for young readers and family history research.
• Continue offering Missoula residents a wide range of programs and ways to learn and connect.