An in-depth, two-year study conducted by an independent library consulting group found “Renton lags far behind in the resources available to provide responsive, high-quality library services needed by its growing and diverse citizenry.” This study also found that KCLS could provide Renton residents library service for 6-9 percent less the long-term costs.

Although maximizing the use of our money is very important, the main reason I’m voting YES on Proposition 1 is because of the resources and services KCLS can provide our K-12 students that our current system cannot. Joining KCLS would increase our resources from 190,000 items to more than four million. KCLS also provides paid community outreach staff assigned to each and every school, educating students about KCLS programs such as FREE one-on-one homework tutoring for all major K-12 subjects, SAT and GED prep classes, ESL classes, Early Literacy Workshops, computer training classes, and one-on-one assistance with resumes, cover letters and interview preparation skills. As one of only three cities in King County not part of KCLS, Renton schools currently do not have a KCLS liaison educating our students and their families about these available resources.

The reality is our current system is not providing Renton residents – specifically our students – with services and opportunities equitable to those of our neighboring cities. Renton always talks about being “Ahead of the Curve” and when it comes to our library system, we are far from it.

Vote YES on Proposition 1.

Nicole Wicks

Renton