1. United States
2. Nev.
3. Letter

The ballot measure failure threatens not just libraries in Washoe County but could impact libraries across Nevada. The projected $4.5 million budget cut, 23 staff layoffs, and elimination of book purchasing at Washoe County libraries alone would be devastating losses for the local community's educational and cultural resources. However, this crisis highlights the vulnerability of library funding statewide and the need for a unified solution to maintain adequate support for these essential public institutions throughout Nevada. I urge the state government to explore legislative actions and funding mechanisms to counteract local budget shortfalls and ensure libraries can continue providing vital services like literacy programs, technology access, and community spaces for all residents. Allowing libraries to deteriorate due to localized funding issues would represent a major setback for educational and informational access across the entire state. Prompt intervention is needed to prevent a wider libraries crisis from unfolding that could deprive countless Nevadans of these indispensable public resources.