Funding Sources & Fiscal Responsiblity
Your Community-Funded Library
At Kitsap Regional Library, we believe learning should be open to everyone at every stage of life. Through publicly funded, free access to books, technology, spaces, and programs, we create opportunities for all Kitsap residents to explore ideas, access information, and connect with their community.
Over 96% of your Library's funding comes from local property taxes. This publicly supported funding—approximately $18 million in 2024—provides the foundation for our operations. It allows the Library to serve more than 107,000 households and over 86,000 cardholders across Kitsap County through:
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A shared collection of physical and digital books, audiobooks, magazines, movies, music, and more.
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Access to computers, printers, Wi-Fi, and research databases.
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Programming for all ages and life stages.
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Safe, welcoming, and accessible library spaces across Kitsap County.
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A dedicated team of professionals who deliver library services every day.
This public investment ensures that the Library remains a trusted resource, open to all.
In 2024, there were 86,856 active Kitsap Regional Library cardholders. This includes families and households sharing accounts, educators using resources for the classroom, book club facilitators, and students and teachers in the Student Library Account , opens a new windowprogram—a partnership with local school districts that ensures every student has a public library card and access to library resources.
2025 Operating Budget | $18,506,015
The Operating Budget represents the estimated annual cost of providing Library services to all of Kitsap, including ongoing expenses such as salaries, maintenance, collections, and services. The Library’s operating budget cannot exceed the annual revenue it receives, primarily from property taxes, along with smaller amounts from other sources.
2025 Capital Budget | $590,000
The Capital Budget covers significant one-time costs such as building repairs, furniture upgrades, and technology improvements. These projects are typically planned years in advance and are funded through savings set aside in previous years, not from annual operating revenue.
Additional Sources of Support
While the majority of Kitsap Regional Library’s funding comes from property taxes, community partnerships and private support play a vital role in extending and enhancing Library services. These contributions help fund programs, maintain buildings, and support innovations that go beyond basic operations; however, they do not contribute to staff wages or benefits. Together, these partnerships reflect a shared investment in learning, access, and connection, and a deep, ongoing commitment to the Library’s mission across Kitsap County.
Kitsap Regional Library Foundation
The Foundation raises private funds to support new initiatives, capital improvements, and innovations that enhance the Library's services. Key initiatives like Summer Learning, opens a new window and To the Library, opens a new window would not be possible without the Foundation's support. The Foundation has also been critical in supporting the strategic replacement of aging buildings—such as the newer Silverdale and Kingston locations—helping to ensure these spaces meet the growing needs of our community.
Building Owners and Facilities Partners
Seven of Kitsap Regional Library’s nine branches are owned and maintained by local partners who provide the buildings, while the Library manages daily maintenance, operations, and services. These partnerships—with Bainbridge Public Library, Inc., Central Kitsap School District, the City of Bremerton, the City of Port Orchard, Manchester Friends of the Library, the Metropolitan Park District of Kingston, and the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe—reflect Kitsap’s shared commitment to accessible, community-centered libraries.
Friends of the Library Groups
Seven branch-focused, volunteer-led organizations fundraise, advocate, and support local programs, events, and branch-specific needs, playing a vital role in enriching the Library experience at the community level. Their efforts often include book sales, plant sales, and beloved community traditions like Manchester’s annual Father’s Day Salmon Bake.
Annual Revenue History
From 2019 to 2024, the Library’s total revenue—including all funding sources—has grown by an average of 2.5% per year.
2024 Revenue Source
In 2024, 96% of the Library's operating budget cames from local property taxes.
2024 Operating Budget Distribution
Nearly 79% of Kitsap Regional Library’s operating budget is dedicated to staffing—the people who make our programs, services, collections, and welcoming spaces possible.
Annual Taxpayer Cost
In 2024, Kitsap Regional Library was funded through a property tax levy rate of $0.27 per $1,000 of assessed value. For a home assessed at $500,000, this equals an annual cost of approximately $135 to support library services.
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Sustainable & Transparent Funding
At Kitsap Regional Library, we are committed to maintaining a sustainable, transparent, and community-driven approach to funding. This model ensures that public dollars are used efficiently and that the Library can continue to provide reliable services for all Kitsap residents. Our approach includes
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Community Input: We actively engage the community to shape priorities and ensure that the Library’s services align with the evolving needs of Kitsap County.
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Strategic Planning: Our long-term goals guide our decisions, helping us plan for future needs while maintaining a clear vision for growth and improvement. We are currently guided by our 2024-2029 Strategic Direction.
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Transparency and Accountability: We maintain a high level of transparency in how public funds are managed, ensuring that every dollar spent is invested in enhancing library services and the Kitsap community.
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Stable Funding Cycles: We rely on stable funding cycles that reduce uncertainty and ensure consistent delivery of services, including programming, technology, and facility maintenance.
In addition to regular revenue streams, Kitsap Regional Library manages two key reserve funds to support the future of the Library system:
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Operating Reserve Fund: This fund, maintained at 10–15% of the annual operating budget, helps bridge gaps during unexpected events or economic downturns, ensuring that the Library can continue to operate without disruption.
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Capital Reserve Fund: This fund supports essential repairs, renovations, and technology or infrastructure improvements across our nine locations, helping to maintain and upgrade Library facilities for the long term.
Together, these strategies reflect our commitment to responsible stewardship, financial stability, and thoughtful investment in the future of our Library system, ensuring we remain adaptable, forward-thinking, and deeply connected to the needs of the Kitsap community.
Why We Levy Every 5–10 Years
Under Washington State law, library revenue from property taxes can only increase by 1% per year, regardless of inflation or population growth. This creates a predictable pattern:
- After a levy is approved, the Library receives a temporary funding boost.
- That funding supports investments in technology, collections, staffing, and facilities.
- Over time, rising costs outpace the allowed 1% revenue growth.
- Eventually, available funds are used primarily to maintain basic services.
- A new levy is needed every 5–10 years to maintain service levels and plan for future needs.
This cycle is a responsible and expected part of long-term public funding in Washington, followed by other junior taxing districts like fire, parks, and emergency services.
Our Shared Investment
For more than 80 years, Kitsap Regional Library has evolved to meet the changing needs of the communities we serve. Guided by our mission to inspire curiosity and connection, and our vision of a collaborative community where everyone has the opportunity to grow, belong, and thrive, we continue to create welcoming spaces, expand access, and strengthen partnerships to reach more people where support is most needed.
Our funding model reflects that same shared commitment: one that combines public support, private generosity, and local partnerships to ensure open access to learning, resources, and opportunities for everyone in Kitsap County—now and for generations to come. This collaboration is essential to sustaining a Library system that supports curiosity, connection, and lifelong learning for all.