WA State Library Is Spared

Looks like the Washington State Library won't close its doors after all. Gov. Gary Locke has signed a bill that will merge the library into a separate department of the Secretary of State's office on July 1. The move will abolish the state library commission, eliminate five full-time jobs, and save about $450,000. Initially, Locke had proposed shutting the library to help save $5.8 million. (See News, March 2002 ) Overall, there is a $1.2 billion shortfall in the state's biennial budget.