Pierce County Library System
Information & Imagination

PIERCE COUNTY, Washington – The Pierce County Library System Board of Trustees will discuss services the Library System is offering while it is closed to help reduce the spread of the novel coronavirus pandemic 2019 (COVID-19) and in compliance with Gov. Jay Inslee’s Stay Home, Stay Healthy Order. Join the meeting via conference call, 1-510-338-9438, access code: 623 788 004 #, attendee ID: #, on Wednesday, April 8, at 3:30 p.m.  

At the April meeting, the Board of Trustees will conduct the following business.

Online library services: While the Pierce County Library’s buildings are closed, the Library System’s online library is always open. People can get and start using a library card immediately and gain access to all online library services. Online services include e-books, audiobooks, and magazines and e-sources such as Lynda.com with resources to help with personal and professional goals, Ancestry Library, Tumblebook Library featuring animated, talking picture books, and tools for students while studying at home with real-time, online tutors.

E-book and audiobook offerings: Library managers will discuss buying more e-books and audiobooks now versus spreading the purchases throughout the year, in order to keep up with the demand for online books right now. This direction also reduces the holds queue and the time people wait for e-books and audiobooks. In March 2020, 2,000 more people checked out e-books and audiobooks compared with March 2019, for a 41% increase over March 2019. This was the highest growth of any month in the past three years.

More information: www.piercecountylibrary.org/about-us/board-trustees/board-agenda-packets/Default.htm

Contact: Mary Getchell, Marketing and Communications Director

253-548-3428-office; 253-229-4477-mobile 

About Pierce County Library System

The nationally acclaimed Pierce County Library System serves 614,000 people throughout Pierce County with 20 libraries and online services. The system is the fourth largest in the state and is funded primarily through property taxes. People may choose from 1.1 million books, movies and other materials, as well as nearly half a million online/downloadable materials. Pierce County Library is committed to directing services in three primary areas: learning, enjoyment and community connection. Its services and programs spark success for Pierce County residents. More than 2 million people visit Pierce County Libraries each year. The Library provides services and programs directly to people in adult care facilities or who are homebound, and to children in child care centers and schools. Pierce County Libraries are located at Anderson Island, Bonney Lake, Buckley, DuPont, Eatonville, Fife, Gig Harbor, Graham, Key Center, Lakewood, Milton/Edgewood, Orting, Parkland/Spanaway, Pierce County Library Administrative Center, South Hill, Steilacoom, Summit, Sumner, Tillicum and University Place. Pierce County Library is an independent municipal corporation and operates as a junior taxing district.

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PIERCE COUNTY, Washington – The Pierce County Library System Board of Trustees will discuss enjoyment, which is a focus area of the Library’s Strategic Plan, an award from the Pierce Conservation District, and other issues at the board meeting at the Administrative Center and Library, 3005 112th St. E., Tacoma, on Wednesday, March 11, at 3:30 p.m.  

At the March meeting, the Board of Trustees will conduct the following business.

Enjoyment: focus area in the Library’s Strategic Plan. Based upon input from more than 12,000 people, the Library System created its Strategic Plan with three focus areas: learning, enjoyment and community. In the enjoyment focus area, the Library System offers rich services to help people enjoy their free time, reduce their stress, and live balanced lives. Services, such as personal reading shoppers in libraries and online, Summer Reading Program, author events, and Read with a Dog, inspire imagination and foster the love of reading. Through 1.1 million books and materials people discover new interests and pursue passions. The Library offers 24/7 access to online e-books, audiobooks and magazines as well books and movies in multiple languages in the 20 Pierce County Libraries. From writing contests for teenagers to passes to local museums the Library System connects people to many cultural enrichment opportunities.

Pierce Conservation District Public Agency of the Year Award. The Pierce Conservation District will recognize the Library System with its Public Agency of the Year Award at a presentation at Pioneer Park Pavilion in Puyallup on Wednesday, March 25. Since 2007, the Pierce Conservation District and the Library have been partners to test streams, rivers and lakes in the county. Many Pierce County Libraries serve as pick up and drop off locations for water testing kits. Volunteers throughout the county pick up and drop off water testing kits at many Pierce County Libraries. The Conservation District provides the kits with equipment to test and sample water conditions in areas throughout Pierce County. The award recognizes and thanks the Library for the important community partnership.

More information: https://www.piercecountylibrary.org/files/library/board-packet-03112020.pdf.

Contact: Mary Getchell, Marketing and Communications Director

253-548-3428-office; 253-229-4477-mobile

About Pierce County Library System

The nationally acclaimed Pierce County Library System serves 614,000 people throughout Pierce County with 20 libraries and online services. The system is the fourth largest in the state and is funded primarily through property taxes. People may choose from 1.1 million books, movies and other materials, as well as nearly half a million online/downloadable materials. Pierce County Library is committed to directing services in three primary areas: learning, enjoyment and community connection. Its services and programs spark success for Pierce County residents. More than 2 million people visit Pierce County Libraries each year. The Library provides services and programs directly to people in adult care facilities or who are homebound, and to children in child care centers and schools. Pierce County Libraries are located at Anderson Island, Bonney Lake, Buckley, DuPont, Eatonville, Fife, Gig Harbor, Graham, Key Center, Lakewood, Milton/Edgewood, Orting, Parkland/Spanaway, Pierce County Library Administrative Center, South Hill, Steilacoom, Summit, Sumner, Tillicum and University Place. Pierce County Library is an independent municipal corporation and operates as a junior taxing district.

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PIERCE COUNTY, Washington – The Pierce County Library System Board of Trustees plans to review plans to replace aging shared computers and laptops for the public’s use throughout the Library System, upgrades to Parkland/Spanaway Pierce County, and conduct other business at its board meeting at the Administrative Center and Library, 3005 112th St. E., Tacoma, on Wednesday, Feb. 12, at 3:30 p.m.

At the February meeting, the Board of Trustees will conduct the following business.

Replace computers and laptops. The Library’s computers and laptops are in constant use by the hundreds of thousands of people who visit Pierce County Libraries annually. This year the Library is on track to replace the well-used and outdated shared public computers and laptops in the 20 Pierce County Libraries. At the Board meeting, the Board of Trustees will review the plan, and the Board is anticipated to approve the funding to launch the computer replacement project.

Upgrade Parkland/Spanaway Library. In recent years, with costs to run the Library System higher than revenues, the Library deferred maintenance and improvements to its 20 locations. With a restored levy approved by voters in 2018, the Library System is working toward making necessary upgrades to buildings. This year, it plans to create a welcoming space in the Parkland/Spanaway Library by making more space in the existing library for the public to use and enjoy, and, in particular, clearly define an area for teenagers. The Parkland/Spanaway Library is the only free community gathering place in the Parkland and Spanaway area, which makes ensuring the space works for people of all ages important for the delivery of valued library services. At the Board meeting, the Board of Trustees will review the plan, and the Board is expected to approve the funding to upgrade the Parkland/Spanaway Library by the end of May 2020

More information:  https://www.piercecountylibrary.org/files/library/board-packet-02122020.pdf

Contact: Mary Getchell, Marketing and Communications Director

253-548-3428-office; 253-229-4477-mobile

About Pierce County Library System

The nationally acclaimed Pierce County Library System serves 614,000 people throughout Pierce County with 20 libraries and online services. The system is the fourth largest in the state and is funded primarily through property taxes. People may choose from 1.1 million books, movies and other materials, as well as nearly half a million online/downloadable materials. Pierce County Library is committed to directing services in three primary areas: learning, enjoyment and community connection. Its services and programs spark success for Pierce County residents. More than 2 million people visit Pierce County Libraries each year. The Library provides services and programs directly to people in adult care facilities or who are homebound, and to children in child care centers and schools. Pierce County Libraries are located at Anderson Island, Bonney Lake, Buckley, DuPont, Eatonville, Fife, Gig Harbor, Graham, Key Center, Lakewood, Milton/Edgewood, Orting, Parkland/Spanaway, Pierce County Library Administrative Center, South Hill, Steilacoom, Summit, Sumner, Tillicum and University Place. Pierce County Library is an independent municipal corporation and operates as a junior taxing district.

piercecountylibrary.org            

facebook.com/PierceCoLibrary

PIERCE COUNTY, Washington – The Pierce County Library System Board of Trustees will conduct its final public hearing for the 2020 budget, get an overview of staff services, and discuss other issues at the board’s meeting at the Administrative Center and Library, 3005 112th St. E., Tacoma, on Wednesday, Dec. 11, at 3:30 p.m.

At the December meeting, the Board of Trustees will conduct the following business.

Final public hearing on 2020 budget: The Board will conduct its second and final public hearing on the Library’s proposed 2020 budget. With funding from a restored levy approved by voters in 2018, revenues exceed what is needed for operational expenses for the first few years of a multi-year funding cycle and allow the Library to sustain operations for multiple years. Approximately 95% of the Library’s funding comes from property taxes. In 2020 the Library plans to retain nearly $9 million in its newly established levy sustainability fund to sustain operations for multiple years. The Library proposes a $39.7 million operating budget for 2020, which would fund services to support residents’ growth and curiosity, offer excellent reading choices, and work to connect and strengthen growing and changing communities. In particulate, the 2020 budget funds purchasing more e-books and books for Summer Reading, in response to the public’s high use of those materials.

Staff services: Staff is a strategic Pierce County Library service, connecting the public with the right resource at the right time. The Library System’s diverse, skilled staff of 377, full and part time people (298 full time equivalents), reflects the communities the Library serves. The Library is committed to a respectful and inclusive work place, with 99% of all staff having completed training in this area. Engaged and talented staff lead with the Library’s core skills and qualities, which include customer focus and teamwork to ensure staff welcome and serve all people and work together. From recruitment to retirement the Library invests time and resources to grow the passion and compassion of the staff that engages with hundreds of thousands of Pierce County’s residents.

More information: https://www.piercecountylibrary.org/files/library/board-packet-12112019.pdf

Contact: Mary Getchell, Marketing and Communications Director

253-548-3428-office; 253-229-4477-mobile

About Pierce County Library System

The nationally acclaimed Pierce County Library System serves 603,000 people throughout Pierce County with 20 libraries and online services. The system is the fourth largest in the state and is funded primarily through property taxes. People may choose from 1.1 million books, movies and other materials, as well as nearly half a million online/downloadable materials. Pierce County Library is committed to directing services in three primary areas: learning, enjoyment and community connection. Its services and programs spark success for Pierce County residents. More than 2 million people visit Pierce County Libraries each year. The Library provides services and programs directly to people in adult care facilities or who are homebound, and to children in child care centers and schools. Pierce County Libraries are located at Anderson Island, Bonney Lake, Buckley, DuPont, Eatonville, Fife, Gig Harbor, Graham, Key Center, Lakewood, Milton/Edgewood, Orting, Parkland/Spanaway, Pierce County Library Administrative Center, South Hill, Steilacoom, Summit, Sumner, Tillicum and University Place. Pierce County Library is an independent municipal corporation and operates as a junior taxing district.

piercecountylibrary.org            

facebook.com/PierceCoLibrary

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PIERCE COUNTY, Washington – The Pierce County Library System Board of Trustees is expected to direct the Library on next steps for potential new libraries in Lakewood and Sumner, conduct its first hearing for the 2020 budget, and discuss other issues at the board’s meeting at the Administrative Center and Library, 3005 112th St. E., Tacoma, on Wednesday, Nov. 13, at 3:30 p.m.

At the November meeting, the Board of Trustees will conduct the following business.

Potential new libraries in Lakewood and Sumner: The Board of Trustees is expected to give direction for next steps for potential new libraries in new locations in Lakewood and Sumner. The libraries would replace the current Lakewood, Tillicum and Sumner Libraries. At an October study session, the Board reviewed the findings and recommendations from the Library’s engagement with thousands of residents to learn the public’s interest in new libraries. Overall, residents in both communities expressed interest in potential new libraries:

• 84% of Lakewood survey respondents said they were interested in new libraries in Lakewood
• 88% of Sumner survey respondents said they were interested in a new library in Sumner

Direction from the Board will be whether to continue into a planning phase for building projects in Lakewood, Tillicum or Sumner. A planning phase would include further engagement with the public getting their input on a building program, conceptual designs and review of construction cost estimates.

The Lakewood, Tillicum and Sumner Libraries have been well loved and well used. The aging buildings are underserving the communities, as more people and more services compete for limited space.

• The Sumner Library is on land owned by the City of Sumner in a building co-owned by the city and the Library System. The building is aging and will close because it is in need of costly repairs.
• The Lakewood Library is dated, hard to maintain, and would require millions of dollars in upgrades. The City of Lakewood would like to see a new Lakewood library in the downtown core.
• The Tillicum Library is housed in an aging shared facility in poor physical condition. The current layout does not support how people use the library today or tomorrow.

First hearing on 2020 budget: The Board will conduct its first of two public hearings on the Library’s proposed 2020 budget. With funding from a restored levy approved by voters in 2018, revenues exceed what is needed for operational expenses for the first few years of a multi-year funding cycle and allow the Library to sustain operations for multiple years. In 2020 the Library estimates $42.3 million in revenues, which will come primarily from property taxes. The Library proposes a $39.6 million budget for 2020, which would fund services to support residents’ growth and curiosity, offer excellent reading choices, and work to connect and strengthen growing and changing communities. The remaining $2.7 million would be deposited into a sustainability fund to sustain operations for multiple years.

More information: https://www.piercecountylibrary.org/files/library/board-packet-11132019.pdf

Contact: Mary Getchell, Marketing and Communications Director

253-548-3428-office; 253-229-4477-mobile

About Pierce County Library System

The nationally acclaimed Pierce County Library System serves 603,000 people throughout Pierce County with 20 libraries and online services. The system is the fourth largest in the state and is funded primarily through property taxes. People may choose from 1.1 million books, movies and other materials, as well as nearly half a million online/downloadable materials. Pierce County Library is committed to directing services in three primary areas: learning, enjoyment and community connection. Its services and programs spark success for Pierce County residents. More than 2 million people visit Pierce County Libraries each year. The Library provides services and programs directly to people in adult care facilities or who are homebound, and to children in child care centers and schools. Pierce County Libraries are located at Anderson Island, Bonney Lake, Buckley, DuPont, Eatonville, Fife, Gig Harbor, Graham, Key Center, Lakewood, Milton/Edgewood, Orting, Parkland/Spanaway, Pierce County Library Administrative Center, South Hill, Steilacoom, Summit, Sumner, Tillicum and University Place. Pierce County Library is an independent municipal corporation and operates as a junior taxing district.

piercecountylibrary.org                       

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PIERCE COUNTY, Washington – The Pierce County Library System Board of Trustees will discuss the public’s interest for potential new libraries in Lakewood, Tillicum and Sumner at a study session at the Library’s Administrative Center and Library, 3005 112th St. E., Tacoma, on Monday, Oct. 21, 3-5 p.m.

At the study session, BERK Consulting, Inc., a public engagement firm, will share findings from discussions with thousands of individuals during a three-month period. BERK will also provide a recommendation to the Board of Trustees about next steps for potential new libraries in new locations in Lakewood, Tillicum-a neighborhood in Lakewood and Sumner. The new libraries would replace the existing libraries.

June through September 2019, the Library System gathered input from people at community events, in the libraries and online. The libraries have been well loved and well used. The aging buildings are underserving the communities, as more people and more services compete for limited space. The libraries were built with the purpose of housing books‒today libraries serve many more competing individual and community needs.

Today libraries are designed around how people want to use the library, as well as for offering a vibrant selection of books, movies and other resources. Buildings now must meet the needs of people who also expect to find computer and related technologies, community meeting spaces, quiet work and study areas, and many other services.

The Sumner Pierce County Library is on land owned by the City of Sumner in a building co-owned by the city and the Library System. The building is aging and will close because it is in need of costly repairs. The community has an opportunity to build a new library on land the city has purchased on East Main, with services and design reflective of community desires.

The Lakewood Pierce County Library was built 56 years ago and now serves 60,000 people with resources for learning, enjoyment and strengthening community connections. The Lakewood Library is dated, hard to maintain, and would require millions of dollars in upgrades. The City of Lakewood’s recently adopted Downtown Plan named library services as a priority for the community. The city would like to see a new Lakewood library in the downtown core.

The Tillicum Pierce County Library is housed in an aging shared facility in poor physical condition. The current layout also does not support how people use the library today or tomorrow.

Following the board’s study session, the Board of Trustees is expected to make a decision about next steps at its Nov. 13 board meeting.

More information and online survey at: imagine.pcls.us.

Contact: Mary Getchell, Marketing and Communications Director

253-548-3428-office; 253-229-4477-mobile

About Pierce County Library System

The nationally acclaimed Pierce County Library System serves 603,000 people throughout Pierce County with 20 libraries and online services. The system is the fourth largest in the state and is funded primarily through property taxes. People may choose from 1.5 million books, movies and other materials, as well as nearly half a million online/downloadable materials. Pierce County Library is committed to directing services in three primary areas: learning, enjoyment and community connection. Its services and programs spark success for Pierce County residents. More than 2 million people visit Pierce County Libraries each year. The Library provides services and programs directly to people in adult care facilities or who are homebound, and to children in child care centers and schools. Pierce County Libraries are located at Anderson Island, Bonney Lake, Buckley, DuPont, Eatonville, Fife, Gig Harbor, Graham, Key Center, Lakewood, Milton/Edgewood, Orting, Parkland/Spanaway, Pierce County Library Administrative Center, South Hill, Steilacoom, Summit, Sumner, Tillicum and University Place. Pierce County Library is an independent municipal corporation and operates as a junior taxing district.

piercecountylibrary.org                       

facebook.com/PierceCoLibrary

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PIERCE COUNTY, Washington – The Pierce County Library System Board of Trustees will discuss its long-term funding plan, contributions from Friends of the Library groups, services at the Lakewood Pierce County Library, and other issues at the board’s monthly meeting at the Lakewood Library, 6300 Wildaire Rd. SW, on Wednesday, Oct. 9, at 3:30 p.m.

At the October meeting, the Board of Trustees will conduct the following business.

Long-term funding plan. Library leaders will talk with the board about the plan for a multi-year funding cycle to ensure stable, sustainable funding to deliver library services for at least 10 years. Voters’ approval in 2018 to restore the Library’s funding in 2019 provided funding to sustain operations for at least 10 years. With funding from the restored levy, revenues exceed what is needed for operational expenses for the first few years of the 10-year funding cycle and allows the Library to sustain operations for multiple years. In the first funding phase, the Library would receive more revenue than it will spend, saving unspent funds in a sustainability fund. During the second funding phase, revenue and expenditures are planned to be in balance and funds would not be deposited into or withdrawn from the sustainability fund. In the third funding phase, costs are expected to exceed revenue and funds would be withdrawn from the sustainability savings fund to close budget gaps.

Lakewood Library. Lakewood Library staff will give an overview of how it serves the City of Lakewood’s 60,000 residents from multiple socioeconomic backgrounds with diverse needs. The Lakewood Library also serves JBLM service members and their families. Approximately one-quarter of the city’s residents speak languages other than English and as a result the Lakewood Library offers a large selection of books and materials in Korean, Spanish, Russian and other languages. Lakewood Library is well used and well-loved‒more people visit Lakewood Library than any other Pierce County Library. In 2018, people made 266,202 visits to Lakewood Library and checked out 502,738 books, movies and other items. The library houses a Job and Business Center to help people find and get jobs and start and grow small businesses. The library also offers a Law Library Kiosk in partnership with Pierce County Law Library. Recently the library started a teen council to include teen voices in shaping library events, classes and services for teenagers.

National Friends of the Library. To celebrate National Friends of Libraries Week, the Board of Trustees plans to sign a proclamation to proclaim Oct. 20-26, 2019 Friends of Libraries Week in Pierce County. Seventeen Friends groups support Pierce County Library’s 18 full service libraries. The Friends groups volunteer time and resources to help support the libraries and enhance library service in Pierce County communities. In 2018, Friends of the Library groups contributed approximately $105,000 to support library services including books for children and teens to keep during the Summer Reading Program and funds for community events such as MakerFest and Pierce County Conversations.

More information: https://www.piercecountylibrary.org/files/library/board-packet-10092019.pdf.

Contact: Mary Getchell, Marketing and Communications Director

253-548-3428-office; 253-229-4477-mobile

About Pierce County Library System

The nationally acclaimed Pierce County Library System serves 603,000 people throughout Pierce County with 20 libraries and online services. The system is the fourth largest in the state and is funded primarily through property taxes. People may choose from 1.5 million books, movies and other materials, as well as nearly half a million online/downloadable materials. Pierce County Library is committed to directing services in three primary areas: learning, enjoyment and community connection. Its services and programs spark success for Pierce County residents. More than 2 million people visit Pierce County Libraries each year. The Library provides services and programs directly to people in adult care facilities or who are homebound, and to children in child care centers and schools. Pierce County Libraries are located at Anderson Island, Bonney Lake, Buckley, DuPont, Eatonville, Fife, Gig Harbor, Graham, Key Center, Lakewood, Milton/Edgewood, Orting, Parkland/Spanaway, Pierce County Library Administrative Center, South Hill, Steilacoom, Summit, Sumner, Tillicum and University Place. Pierce County Library is an independent municipal corporation and operates as a junior taxing district.

piercecountylibrary.org             

facebook.com/PierceCoLibrary

twitter.com/PierceCoLibrary

PIERCE COUNTY, Washington – The Pierce County Library System Board of Trustees will discuss the Library System’s 2020 work plan and budget, potential new library buildings in the cities of Lakewood and Sumner, national spotlight on the Library’s career services, and other issues at the board’s monthly meeting at the Library’s Administrative Center and Library, 3005 112th St. E., Tacoma, on Wednesday, Sept. 11, at 3:30 p.m.

At the September meeting, the Board of Trustees will conduct the following business.

2020 Work plan and budget. The board will discuss budget drivers for planning the work and budget to operate the Library System in 2020. In 2020, the Library plans to continue to set aside monies from the reauthorized levy voters approved in 2018, to sustain operations for the coming years. In addition to open hours at 20 locations and online library resources; 1.5 million books, e-books, movies and other materials; staff to support learning; computers, Wi-Fi and technology; and community spaces, in 2020 the Library plans to fund capital projects. Those projects include technology to support the public and staff as well as maintenance and improvements of buildings. In recent years, with a gap in revenues and operation costs, the Library System invested little in technology and building maintenance.

Potential new libraries in Lakewood and Sumner. Thousands of people are continuing to give their ideas and opinions about potential expanded libraries in new locations in Lakewood and Sumner. The Library System is hearing from people at community events, in the libraries and online. All three of the libraries have been well loved and well used. The Sumner Library is on land owned by the City of Sumner in a building co-owned by the city and the Library System. The building is aging and will close because it is in need of costly repairs. The Lakewood Library is dated, hard to maintain, and would require millions of dollars in upgrades. The Tillicum Library is an aging shared facility in poor physical condition. The public engagement activities continue through September, with a plan to provide recommendations for next steps to the Library’s Board of Trustees in October.

Local and national spotlight on Library’s career services. KBTC and PBS selected the Pierce County Library System’s Job + Business Center service to be featured in an upcoming story and series called “Journey to Jobs.” The story of the Library System’s help and remarkable services for job seekers and small business owners/want-to-be owners will be featured in the nationally distributed PBS program “Journey to Jobs” in October. The week of Sept. 16, KBTC will begin airing the five-minute Pierce County Library spot as a stand-alone leading into the “Journey to Jobs” hour-long program. On Oct. 8 at 9 p.m., KBTC will air the nationally produced “Journey to Jobs” program, featuring a spotlight on the services offered in Pierce County. Check out the five-minute feature: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdpZV-z5eLM&feature=youtu.be

More information: full board packet https://www.piercecountylibrary.org/files/library/board-packet-09112019.pdf

Contact: Mary Getchell, Marketing and Communications Director

253-548-3428-office; 253-229-4477-mobile

About Pierce County Library System

The nationally acclaimed Pierce County Library System serves 603,000 people throughout Pierce County with 20 libraries and online services. The system is the fourth largest in the state and is funded primarily through property taxes. People may choose from 1.5 million books, movies and other materials, as well as nearly half a million online/downloadable materials. Pierce County Library is committed to directing services in three primary areas: learning, enjoyment and community connection. Its services and programs spark success for Pierce County residents. More than 2 million people visit Pierce County Libraries each year. The Library provides services and programs directly to people in adult care facilities or who are homebound, and to children in child care centers and schools. Pierce County Libraries are located at Anderson Island, Bonney Lake, Buckley, DuPont, Eatonville, Fife, Gig Harbor, Graham, Key Center, Lakewood, Milton/Edgewood, Orting, Parkland/Spanaway, Pierce County Library Administrative Center, South Hill, Steilacoom, Summit, Sumner, Tillicum and University Place. Pierce County Library is an independent municipal corporation and operates as a junior taxing district.

piercecountylibrary.org                       

facebook.com/PierceCoLibrary

twitter.com/PierceCoLibrary

PIERCE COUNTY, Washington – Jamilyn Penn came on board as a new Board of Trustee member for the Pierce County Library System this month.

Penn, a Steilacoom resident, has extensive K-12 and higher education experience. Currently she is the director of transfer education at the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges in Olympia. Penn was a dean of instruction at Clover Park Technical College in Lakewood and at Lake Washington Institute of Technology in Kirkland. Previously Penn was a program director for federal programs at the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction.

The new Board of Trustee volunteers with local agencies to help individuals with low literacy learn to read. She also volunteers as a change facilitator for Guided Pathways, equity-focused work to close opportunity gaps, particularly for students of color and other historically underrepresented groups. Penn is a student at Northeastern University, where she is working towards a doctorate in Higher Education Leadership.

“Jamilyn’s broad professional experience in education and management, combined with her volunteer service, will complement our strong board, grounded in significant community knowledge and passion to serve all people in the Library System’s service area,” said Pierce County Library Executive Director Georgia Lomax. “Jamilyn’s excitement and energy will serve our communities well.”

On deck for the Board of Trustees is considering new libraries in new locations in Sumner and Lakewood, and replacing the current library buildings. This summer library staff is gathering comments from people in libraries, online and in communities to learn the public’s interest for new library buildings. This fall the Board of Trustees will review the public’s input and recommendations for next steps.

“I am thrilled to bring my diverse skills to help shape and guide library service throughout Pierce County Library’s service area,” said Penn. “I’m eager to play an active role ensuring the important, truly vital library services continue to be available, accessible and enjoyed by families and individuals throughout our communities.”

The Library System is not a part of Pierce County government. By state law, Pierce County Executive Bruce Dammeier appointed Penn, and the Pierce County Council ratified the appointment.

Other Library Board of Trustees include Rob Allen, chair; Monica Butler, vice chair; and Trustees Pat Jenkins and Daren Jones. Trustees are non-paid positions. 

The five-member board governs the Library’s policy and fiscal direction. Trustees’ responsibilities include:

• Advocating for library services.
• Setting goals and directions.
• Approving budgets.
• Adopting policies.
• Planning for the future.

Contact: Mary Getchell, Marketing and Communications Director

Office: 253-548-3428; cell: 253-229-4477

About Pierce County Library System

The nationally acclaimed Pierce County Library System serves 603,000 people throughout Pierce County with 20 libraries and online services. The system is the fourth largest in the state and is funded primarily through property taxes. People may choose from 1.5 million books, e-books, audiobooks, movies and other materials. Pierce County Library is committed to directing services in three primary areas: learning, enjoyment and community connection. Its services and programs spark success for Pierce County residents. More than 2 million people visit Pierce County Libraries each year. The Library provides services and programs directly to people in adult care facilities or who are homebound, and to children in child care centers and schools. Pierce County Libraries are located at Anderson Island, Bonney Lake, Buckley, DuPont, Eatonville, Fife, Gig Harbor, Graham, Key Center, Lakewood, Milton/Edgewood, Orting, Parkland/Spanaway, Pierce County Library Administrative Center, South Hill, Steilacoom, Summit, Sumner, Tillicum and University Place. Pierce County Library is an independent municipal corporation and operates as a junior taxing district.

piercecountylibrary.org                       

facebook.com/PierceCoLibrary

twitter.com/PierceCoLibrary