Pierce County Library System
Information & Imagination

Costs to operate and maintain Pierce County Library System’s services and libraries are increasing at a faster and higher rate than revenues. 

• In recent years, costs have increased by an average of 4-7 percent a year, while property tax revenues have increased at an average rate of 1-3 percent. 
• Property taxes make up approximately 94 percent of Pierce County Library’s revenue.

Population surged

• Population surges and significant use have outgrown many library buildings. 
• Service area population increased by 16 percent, and at the same time, the number of people with Pierce County Library cards grew by 63 percent.
• With this growth, the public’s request and expectation for services have been rising, too.

Re-authorized levy stretched

The Library System has out-lived the re-authorized levy voters passed in 2006, and the Library has met or surpassed all four levy promises:

• Added books, e-books, movies and other materials.
• Increased open hours by 39 percent.
• Added services for kids and teenagers.
• Upgraded services and technology.

The Library projected the 2006 levy would meet service needs for up to six years.

The Library has stretched that funding for 12 years.

Library card holders has expanded 

Checkout of books, movies and other items has soared

Participation in classes and events has swelled

Computer use has skyrocketed

Wi-Fi connects have soared

$2 million per year gap
between needs and funding

Since 2009 the gap between service needs and available funding averaged about $2 million a year, for a total of $20 million. To balance its budget and sustain services, the Library has eliminated or reduced services including:

• Eliminated bookmobile service.
• Reduced spending on books, movies,
  music and other materials.
• Deferred major facility investments
  and software system upgrades.
• Delayed implementing a Facilities Master Plan.
• Eliminated hoopla, a service that provides downloadable and streaming movies.
• Discontinued online Encyclopedia Britannica.
• Ended the public’s use of meeting rooms when the libraries are closed.

During this time the Library also made efficiencies in its overall delivery of services.

Funding for books, movies, music and other materials decreasing

• In 2017 Pierce County Library spent less money per person on books and materials than any other similarly sized library in the region: spending $6.42/person.