Public libraries are a public good. Libraries are places of belonging that strengthen communities and support people at every stage of life, from early learning and connection to education, work, and lifelong growth.
Recently, questions have surfaced about how NCW Libraries operates. While the details can be complex, we are always committed to sharing clear, accurate information about how library services are provided.
We are deeply committed to serving communities across our 5-county service area through strong partnerships, thoughtful planning, and transparent communication. We will share updates as appropriate and we remain focused on keeping library services accessible, sustainable, and responsive to community needs.
What is going on with the Omak Library?
The City of Omak notified NCW Libraries that they are considering terminating their Library Services Contract with us. Since then, our Executive Director Barbara Walters has been in continued communications with city staff to answer questions, clarify facts, and ensure the city has accurate, complete information to support a well-informed outcome. Barbara is meeting with the city on Thursday, January 8th to discuss next steps.
It is our sincere hope that through continued dialogue and problem solving, the City of Omak will choose a path that allows library services to continue under a sustainable and mutually understood framework.
What is a Library Service Contract?
NCW Libraries was established to provide library services to rural residents of the five-county area. Any city or town that wishes to provide library service to its residents must either annex into the district via a vote of the people or enter into a contract with NCW Libraries.
A Library Services Contract is the contract that enables us to provide services to residents in any city or town that has not annexed into our district. The current library services contract with the City of Omak has been in place since 1982, with prior service agreements dating back to 1961.
IS NCW LIBRARIES A PRIVATE BUSINESS ENTITY?
No.
NCW Libraries is a public, intercounty rural library district established under Washington State law and funded primarily through voter-approved property taxes. As a government entity, NCW Libraries exists to provide public library services on behalf of the communities it serves, not to generate profit.
Our mission, operations and use of funds are governed by state statues, public accountability requirements, and oversight by a publicly appointed board of trustees. While NCW Libraries may enter into contracts to deliver services, those agreements support a public service function and are fundamentally different from a private, for-profit business contracts, as they involve public funds, public assets, and essential community services.
What happens if a Library Service Contract is terminated?
If a city ends its Library Services Contract, NCW Libraries can no longer provide library services to residents living within city limits. Residents’ only option to continue receiving library services is to pay for a fee card. Learn more about fee cards.
NCW Libraries cannot operate buildings in non-contracting, non-annexed areas.
What is the impact on the Omak Library and Omak residents if the Library Services Contract is terminated?
Honestly, we are still determining the full impact of this potential change. Here are some initial known impacts:
- Omak residents would lose their current access to NCW Libraries services.
- Residents would need to purchase a fee card to continue accessing library materials, digital resources, and services.
- Physical library service in Omak would be uncertain.
- NCW Libraries would not be able to operate a library in Omak without a Library Services Contract. The city would need to determine whether, and how, it would provide library services independently.
- Major building improvements would be jeopardized.
- NCW Libraries has secured approximately $1.5 million through the Reimagining Spaces Project to invest in interior improvements to the Omak Library building (a city-owned asset). These funds include grants from the Washington State Department of Commerce and the Paul Lauzier Foundation. Termination of the Library Services Contract would put this funding at risk and may negatively impact both the City and NCW Libraries’ eligibility for future grants.
Will homeowners see tax relief if a city ends a Library Services Contract?
The Library Services Contract is paid for from the city’s budget. Reducing city taxes is at the discretion of city leaders.
Tell me more about the Omak Public Library
Who uses the Omak Public Library?
Libraries are among the most widely used and trusted public spaces in any community, and the Omak Public Library is no different. This library serves people of all ages and backgrounds including:
- Families attending Storytime and early literacy programs.
- Students using the library for homework, studying, and research.
- Residents accessing public computers, printing, and free Wi-Fi.
- Job seekers applying for work and attending virtual programs and training.
- Readers borrowing books, movies, audiobooks, and digital resources.
- Adults attending writers workshops, book clubs, and other programs.
- Community members gathering for clubs, meetings, and connection.
In 2025, 33,663 people visited the Omak Library and borrowed 22,876 physical materials including books, movies, and magazines.
In 2025, residents of 11 other communities visited the Omak Library to borrow materials including Brewster, Bridgeport, Chelan, Curlew, Ephrata, Grand Coulee, Okanogan, Oroville, Tonasket, Twisp, and even Wenatchee. The Omak Library is a central hub for Okanogan county.
What about safety? What does NCW Libraries and the Omak Library staff do to keep the library safe?
Read this statement about NCW Libraries and the Omak staff’s commitment to public and staff safety. A Note about Safety » NCW Libraries
Does NCW Libraries lease the Omak Public Library Building from the City of Omak?
No, NCW Libraries does not lease any of the buildings where we provide library services.
As an intercounty rural library district, NCW Libraries is responsible for providing library services to residents. The cities, towns, and unincorporated areas that desire to have a physical library are responsible for providing a space for us to provide those services from. These mutually beneficial partnerships are a critical part of providing core library services across our five-county region.
In Omak, and 28 other locations where we operate out of library buildings we don’t own, NCW Libraries has a contractual agreement with the building’s owner (usually the local municipality) to clearly define each party’s responsibility. These contracts, called Building Maintenance and Use Agreements, clearly state that the building owner will cover the costs of providing the building, including maintenance, and that NCW Libraries will provide everything else.
Because so many library users reside outside of city limits (and thus do not pay city taxes that pay for annual building maintenance costs), our contracts also include a provision for NCW Libraries to pay the building owners $4 per square foot to offset some janitorial and maintenance costs. In 2026, NCW Libraries will pay the City of Omak $21,116.
How much does the City of Omak invest into the Omak Library annually?
2026 City of Omak Investment in the Omak Public Library:
- $118,661 for library services contract
- $44,334 estimated for building maintenance, per the city’s budget
- $20,000 estimated for unexpected building improvements that may arise during the remodel, per the city’s budget
- Less NCW Libraries’ payment of $21,116 to the City of Omak as partial reimbursement for janitorial and maintenance costs that may be incurred due to library use by non-city residents. This amount is established on a per-square-foot basis in our Building Maintenance and Use Agreements.
This brings the total investment by the City of Omak to $161,879 for 2026.
How much does NCW Libraries invest into the Omak Public Library annually?
2026 NCW Libraries Investment in the Omak Public Library:
- $172,935 in personnel expenses (wages and benefits)
- $295,380.67 in departmental support costs (Management and Admin, Facilities and Delivery, HR and Finance, and IT)
- $264,351.93 in public services support (library collection costs, phone/internet, copier leases, liability insurance, branch programming & supplies)
- $21,116 for Building Maintenance and Use Agreement reimbursement ($4/square foot)
This brings the total investment by NCW Libraries to $753,783.60 for 2026.
How does NCW Libraries provide library services?
NCW Libraries is an Intercounty Rural Library District that was formed in 1961 to serve Chelan, Douglas, Ferry, Grant, and Okanogan Counties. Intercounty Rural Library Districts are defined by RCW 27.12.010 as “a municipal corporation organized to provide library service for all areas outside of incorporated cities and towns within two or more counties.”
Learn more: How does an Intercounty Rural Library System work?
Who is eligible for library service?
The district was established to serve residents of Chelan, Douglas, Ferry, Grant, and Okanogan counties that live outside of incorporated cities or towns. Residents pay for their library service as a small portion of their property taxes.
Residents of incorporated cities and towns may access library services through annexation or contracting.
What is the difference between annexation and contracting?
Annexation – Residents vote to join the library district and pay for services directly as a small portion of their property taxes. Library access can only be terminated through a vote of the people.
Contracting – A city or municipality chooses to contract with NCW Libraries and pays for library services on behalf of its residents. The city or municipality pays the equivalent of what residents would pay if they were annexed into the district. City leadership have the authority to terminate the contract and end library access to city residents.
What incorporated cities and towns are annexed into the district?
- Brewster, 1996
- Bridgeport, 1983
- Cashmere, 1983
- Chelan, 1983
- Coulee Dam, 1999
- East Wenatchee, 1984
- Electric City, 1983
- Elmer City, 1984
- Entiat, 1997
- George, 1985
- Grand Coulee, 1983
- Leavenworth, 1983
- Mattawa, 1983
- Moses Lake, 1984
- Okanogan, 1983
- Oroville, 1984
- Pateros, 1984
- Quincy, 1984
- Republic, 1984
- Riverside, 1992
- Royal City, 1983
- Soap Lake, 1984
- Tonasket, 1983
- Twisp, 1983
- Waterville, 1984
- Wenatchee, 1984
- Winthrop, 1983
What incorporated cities and towns contract for library service?
- Coulee City
- Ephrata
- Omak
- Warden
- Wilson Creek
Are there incorporated municipalities within our service area who are not annexed into the district or contracted for service?
Yes, there are five incorporated cities and towns in our service area who are neither annexed or contracted for library services. NCW Libraries does not operate libraries in these locations. Residents who live inside the town or city limits do not pay for library services through their property taxes and are not eligible for a regular library card. Residents of these communities may purchase a fee card to use NCW Libraries.
What is the value of an Intercounty Rural Library District?
Intercounty rural library districts exist to ensure that rural residents have access to excellent and essential library services. By sharing resources across five counties, NCW Libraries provides the same quality of service in small, rural communities like Curlew and Warden as in larger towns and cities like Wenatchee, Moses Lake, and Omak. This shared investment strengthens education, opportunity, and connection across our entire region – ensuring that everyone benefits from a more informed and resilient public.
What does NCW Libraries invest in local library service?
NCW Libraries provides everything inside the library buildings including books and digital collections, technology and internet access, programs for all ages, and professional staff who help patrons every day.
Behind the scenes, NCW Libraries provides shared services including collection development, online resources, technology systems, administrative services, and more, that support every community library. Sharing these services across the district saves our communities from having to fund them individually.
We also reimburse the owners of the library buildings where we operate for a small portion of janitorial and maintenance expenses. We are the only library district in the state that does this. This was decided because many non-city residents use city-owned buildings to access library services.
NCW Libraries is in the midst of the Reimagining Spaces Project, a $10M investment in improving the library buildings we occupy. These projects are done in partnership with city building owners, and we have worked diligently to secure additional grant funding to maximize each project.
What is the Reimagining Spaces Project?
NCW Libraries is investing more than $10 million in a multi-year project to redesign 29 of our community libraries. The Reimagining Spaces Project is our way of ensuring that all of our libraries are safe, accessible, welcoming spaces that are positioned to serve the diverse communities of North Central Washington for years to come.
Learn more: Reimagining Spaces Project
How much is NCW Libraries ready to invest in the Omak Library’s interior improvements through the Reimagining Spaces Project?
NCW Libraires is poised to invest over $1.5 million into the Omak Public Libraries interior improvements.
This funding includes $732,000 from the Washington State Department of Commerce Library Capitol Program, $250,000 from the Paul Lauzier Foundation, and $10,000 from the American Library Association. These funds along with local donations and NCW Libraries own investment of $540,000 bring the Omak Library’s Reimagining Spaces budget to over $1.5 million.
Why can’t NCW Libraries invest that $1.5 million in keeping the library open rather than improving the interior?
The majority of the $1.5 million is grant funding that is legally restricted to specific building improvements. These funds cannot be used for staffing, open hours, or day-to-day operations. If they are not used for their intended purpose, they must be returned.
In addition, the NCW Libraries Board of Trustees designated $540,000 in one-time funds to support this project. One-time funds cannot be used to cover ongoing operating costs, such as staffing and services, because they do not provide long-term financial stability.
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