At the turn of the 19th Century, industrialist turned philanthropist Andrew Carnegie donated much of his fortune to the creation of public libraries across America and in other nations — about 3,000 in all.

He famously said “a library outranks any other one thing a community can do to benefit its people.”

Even in this digital age, libraries are still vital in communities.

That’s especially true for the Sno-Isle library system, which has five libraries on Whidbey Island — Oak Harbor, Coupeville, Freeland, Langley and Clinton. Library users number more than 740,000 in the region.

That’s a lot of people.

Voters should soon be getting ballots in the mail for an April 24 special election. It asks them to consider restoring 9 cents to the library levy rate for a total rate of 47 cents per $1,000 of assessed property. It would take effect in 2019.

We urge voters to approve the measure.

Libraries provide an oasis of knowledge, entertainment and quiet. People can check out books, both paper and digital versions. The libraries provide access to wi-fi, computers, classes, local artwork and, of course, librarians.

They are also community gathering places and event sites. On April 7, for example, the Oak Harbor Library is hosting the second annual Whidbey Island Comicon. The geek-fest is a celebration of comics and pop culture that manages to sneak in some weighty subjects, such as a panel on the importance of inclusivity and representation in the media.

If the levy doesn’t pass, Sno-Isle will have to cut about $2 million from its annual budget. That could mean reductions in library hours, Sunday closures, staff cuts, fewer purchases of library materials and longer wait times for print and digital books.

That would be a shame at a time when libraries and books are needed now more than ever.

Whidbey residents who haven’t been to their library lately should check it out and see all the great things it has to offer.