SPOKANE, Wash. – Spokane Public Library will no longer have a partnership with nonprofit social services organization Peer Spokane due to a lack of funding, according to a press release. Peer Spokane had partnered with the library since 2023.
Funding originally expired in 2025, and the program was reduced from two peer services specialists to one.
“The City of Spokane stepped up to provide stop-gap funding to maintain one peer support specialist, but now that funding has run out as well, and no additional grants can be secured, bringing an end to this successful program,” Spokane Public Library said.
Peer Spokane, according to its website, focuses on providing emotional support and services to Washingtonians impacted by addiction, mental health challenges, sexually transmitted diseases and more.
“At a time when library services often overlap with social services, this program addressed the social needs of our customers without creating an additional burden for front-line staff who are trained in library services not social services,” Spokane Public Library said.
The safety team at the Central Library location “will do it’s best to fill this gap,” moving forward, Spokane Public Library said.
“Losing this funding and program will leave a tremendous hole in the services provided at Central Library,” Executive Director Andrew Chanse said. “The significant service that Peers has provided to our community cannot be understated.”
