Washington State Library system faces budget cuts, layoffs

Money crunch: Nearly 50 WA State Library employees facing layoffs

Secretary of State Steve Hobbs is preparing to lay off nearly 50 Washington State Library employees due to a decline in state and federal funding.

Washington State Library system faces budget cuts, layoffs

The central library in Tumwater is facing "near elimination" due to a state budget shortfall that has put library services in jeopardy.

Layoff notices, threats of closure rattle WA State Library

The state library has existed since 1855, but a funding decision by the Legislature could lead it to close to the public. Layoff notices went out to 47 staffers.

Reading the Economic Fault Lines

Washington residents are Googling recession-related terms more than anyone else in the country. A new study from Techr, an online HR platform, ranked states based on Google searches like “Trump recession 2025,” “are we in a recession 2025,” and “layoffs 2025.” Washington tops the list with 56.33 searches per 100,000 residents — more than 200% above the national average and well ahead of the next most concerned states: Wyoming and Vermont. It mak…

Washington Enacts Mini-WARN Act Requiring Notice Before Certain Layoffs and Closures

Washington Enacts Mini-WARN Act Requiring Notice Before Certain Layoffs and Closures Washington will soon join the growing list of states that require employers to give 60 days’ advance notice to employees, unions, and the state for certain mass layoffs and business closures. On May 13, 2025, Governor Bob Ferguson signed the Securing Timely Notification and Benefits for Laid-Off Employees Act (WA WARN). The law, which will take effect on July 27…

Nearly 50 Washington State Library Employees Facing Layoffs Amid Funding Shortfalls

TUMWATER, WA – Secretary of State Steve Hobbs is preparing to lay off nearly 50 Washington State Library employees due to a decline in state and federal funding. In the past two weeks, 47 workers at the main library in Tumwater and at the Washington Talking Book & Braille Library in Seattle learned they are at-risk of losing their jobs, some in June and others in September, because of the lack of resources, Hobbs announced Monday. “It is heartbr…