In Kitsap County, we have a rich history of working together to imagine, build and cultivate the libraries in our community.

In 1863, a small space above the Port Madison Mill Store on Bainbridge Island became the second-ever community library in the Puget Sound. In 1946, our military and community partnered to create Silverdale’s first library from a 16-by-16 Army surplus building. Two years later, a chicken coop was converted into the Manchester Library here in South Kitsap.

Today, Kitsap Regional Library (KRL) continues these partnerships through nine community libraries, a bookmobile, 400,000-plus physical books, computers, high-speed internet and educational tools, creating endless opportunities for the people of Kitsap County.

The partnership has made our libraries extraordinary, which is why the Vote Yes campaign is asking for your support to ensure this century-long tradition continues.

KRL funding has relied on a 1-percent increase for the last 15 years. Since the recession, KRL has been forced to end Sunday service and reduce hours at all branches. Current funding can no longer keep pace with rising costs and user demand. To keep our libraries successful and ensure they have the resources they require, we need to pass Proposition 1.

If Proposition 1 is approved, the estimated increase in 2018 for a $300,000 home is $2 a month – a small price to pay for the life-changing services our libraries provide. Funds raised by Proposition 1 will fund existing service and necessary improvements and will not fund construction of any new libraries, such as the new library in Silverdale.

Passage of this levy is necessary for long-term, sustainable funding for public libraries in Kitsap — and we can’t pass it without you. I hope you will join me in this partnership and vote Yes on Proposition 1 by Tuesday, Nov. 7.

For more information, visit levy.krl.org.

Monica Blackwood, Chair, Vote Yes Kitsap Regional Library Committee