- Board discusses serving communities during the pandemic - 7/6/2020
PIERCE COUNTY, Washington – The Pierce County Library System Board of Trustees will discuss how the Library System is serving communities during the novel coronavirus pandemic 2019 (COVID-19). Join the meeting via conference call, 1-510-338-9438, access code: 623 788 004 #, attendee ID: #, on Wednesday, July 8, at 3:30 p.m.
With the buildings closed, the Library’s online library has been serving residents 24/7 with online e-books, audiobooks, magazines, live and recorded classes and events, staff-produced videos and other learning and enjoyment resources.
Checkouts of children’s online e-books and audiobooks (www.piercecountylibrary.org/books-materials/audiobooks-ebooks/Default.htm) continue to grow with checkouts doubling comparing June 2019 with 9,923 checkouts and June 2020 with 19,948 items checked out. Overall, checkouts of online books continue to be significantly higher this year compared with last: 652,981 (January-June 2019) and 837,948 (January-June 2020).
Between mid to late June the Library offered more services (www.piercecountylibrary.org/services/library-reimagined.htm), including opening 20 of the Library System’s 21 book drops. People are bringing back the 180,000 items checked out before the library buildings closing on March 14. Following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and scientific study guidelines, the Library quarantines all books and other materials returned to the libraries for 72 hours.
Staff is gearing up to offer curbside service at some libraries in mid-July where people can pick up books, movies and other items, as well as copies of prints they send remotely to the libraries.
Pierce County Library is committed to safe and welcoming libraries for the public’s use and a safe work place for staff, and it will offer further services in the coming weeks and months.
Also, at the Board meeting, the trustees will thank and say farewell to Monica Butler who has served on the Board for five years and has completed her term. The Board thanks Butler for her sound guidance and leadership. Next month, the Library expects to announce its new Board of Trustee member.
More information: www.piercecountylibrary.org/files/library/board-packet-07082020.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
twitter.com/PierceCoLibrary
- PCLS Board discusses racial and social equity - 6/17/2020
PIERCE COUNTY, Washington – The Pierce County Library System Board of Trustees will discuss how the Library System ensures racial and social equity in its service to Pierce County communities and with the staff it employs. Join the special board meeting via conference call, 1-510-338-9438, access code: 623 788 004 #, attendee ID: #, on Thursday, June 18, at 4 p.m.
The Board will review and discuss the Library System’s commitment to the 2017 Urban Libraries Council (ULC) Statement on Racial Equity and Social Equity (www.urbanlibraries.org/initiatives/statement-on-race-and-social-equity). The Board may further discuss how the Library System might further integrate the principles of the statement into the Library System’s services, classes and events, books and other materials it buys, staff it hires, how it communicates with the public, and policies.
Today 173 public libraries in North America have signed the ULC statement.
More information: https://www.piercecountylibrary.org/files/library/board-packet-06182020.pdf
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, 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
- Board discusses progress service during the pandemic - 6/8/2020
PIERCE COUNTY, Washington – The Pierce County Library System Board of Trustees will discuss how the Library System has been serving communities while the library buildings are closed to help reduce the spread of the novel coronavirus pandemic 2019 (COVID-19) and steps to reinvent services. Join the meeting via conference call, 1-510-338-9438, access code: 623 788 004 #, attendee ID: #, on Wednesday, June 10, at 3:30 p.m.
At the June meeting, the Board of Trustees will conduct the following business.
Progress to serve communities during the pandemic: People of all ages have turned to the Library System for many online services while the buildings are closed. In May, the Library welcomed nearly 2,000 more cardholders – that is 54% more customers for online services, compared with April 2019. With library cards people have immediate access to all online library services from e-books, audiobooks, and magazines to e-sources such as Consumer Reports, Chilton Library for car repairs, and TumbleMath Library featuring animated stories to teach math concepts, and tools for students while studying at home with real-time, online tutors.
In May, the Library System expanded its online e-reading rooms with focused specially selected e-books and audiobooks. In addition to an e-reading room for children, the Library System now offers e-reading rooms for teenagers and specific genres including mysteries and thrillers, do-it-yourself (DIY) and romance. The e-reading rooms are digitized concepts of physical reading rooms.
Library staff also helped people through phone conversations, email, and Facebook find great books through the Library’s My Next Read service, which matches people’s interests and preferences to books, authors and reading series.
Reimagining more library services: Staff is reimagining services as it prepares to offer curbside service under Phase 2 of the Safe Start Washington Phased Reopening plan. The Library is preparing the service so it is safe for the public and staff as well as an excellent experience for the community. Staff is taking training to work safely and learning safe procedures to handle books and materials as people return the items to the libraries and the Library quarantines the materials. Library staff is excited and eager to begin offering more services from library buildings, as well as continuing to offer online services.
As the Library reinvents services, staff is studying demographic information as well as surveying the public to learn and understand how to serve communities best in the coming months. Of particular interest is ensuring it provides learning and engaging experiences to serve the most vulnerable people in the county, including those without internet access.
More information: https://www.piercecountylibrary.org/files/library/board-packet-06102020.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
twitter.com/PierceCoLibrary
- Library Board discusses serving the community during pandemic - 5/11/2020
PIERCE COUNTY, Washington – The Pierce County Library System Board of Trustees will discuss how the Library System is serving communities while the library buildings are 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. Also, at the meeting the Board will talk about plans to reopen library buildings to the public in the coming months. Join the meeting via conference call, 1-510-338-9438, access code: 623 788 004 #, attendee ID: #, on Wednesday, May 13, at 3:30 p.m.
At the May meeting, the Board of Trustees will conduct the following business.
Library services during the pandemic: While the Pierce County Library’s buildings are closed, the Library System is enthusiastically and actively delivering library services online and in the community. 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 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.
Pierce County residents are eagerly accessing these high-valued services:
- In April for the first time 1,878 people started checking out e-books and online audiobooks, this marked the second highest number of new customers since the Library started offering this service several years ago. March 2020 was the highest number of new customers with 2,054.
- In April people checked out 144,595 e-books and online audiobooks, the highest month on record since the Library began offering this service.
- Staff provided resource guides, early learning materials, as well as free books funded by the Pierce County Library Foundation to school food sites at several local school districts and Centro Latino.
- The Library is connecting with residents through social media with Facebook posts reaching 22,232 people with 3,040 engagements with likes, shares and comments on posts, for an engagement rate of 14%, far exceeding the industry standard of 5.4%.
- The Library is also communicating with people via email messages resulting in 39,000 recipients opening each message for an open rate of 46%, exceeding industry standard of 25.17%.
Planning for opening library buildings: Staff is preparing to reopen libraries in alignment with Governor Inslee’s Safe Start Washington plan to safely reopen businesses and other activities. Libraries are included in Phase 3 of the reopening plan. As many public health and government leaders are planning, the Library is also preparing to phase in the offering of services with a turning of a dial, and not flipping a switch. The Board will discuss plans for staff to return to the buildings and prepare to provide service in library buildings. The Library is committed to safe and welcoming libraries for the public’s use and a safe work place for staff.
More information: 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.
piercecountylibrary.org
facebook.com/PierceCoLibrary
twitter.com/PierceCoLibrary
- Help guide the future of valued services at the Library System - 4/13/2020
Apply to be a member of the Library’s Board of Trustees
PIERCE COUNTY, Washington – Looking for an opportunity to give back to the Pierce County community and help lead valued services for 614,000 children and adults? Apply to be a Board of Trustee with the Pierce County Library System.
“If you are an engaged leader, seeking a community-focused way to give back and be a significant part of your community, you are an ideal candidate for the Library’s Board of Trustees.” said Library Executive Director Georgia Lomax. “The successful applicant will help shape and guide library service throughout unincorporated Pierce County and 15 cities and towns annexed to the Library System.”
The Board of Trustees oversee the Library System’s commitment to thoughtfully invest the public’s funds in highly valued library services‒services the public selected as their top priorities.
Trustees’ responsibilities include:
- Advocating for library services.
- Setting goals and charting courses.
- Approving budgets.
- Adopting policies.
- Planning for future directions.
Trustees must live in the Library’s service area. Trustees are non-paid positions and are appointed to a five-year term, with an opportunity to serve up to two consecutive terms.
Pierce County Library is the fourth largest library in Washington state, in terms of population served. From building early literacy skills for children and helping people find and get jobs to supporting STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) and helping grow the love of reading for people of all ages, the Library’s services constantly transform to best support growing and changing communities. With the public’s investment in the Library System, the Library is committed to deliver value to every community member.
The Library’s Strategic Framework, a multi-year plan directs the Library’s work, which the Board of Trustees guides in its administration for the overall direction and fiscal management of the Library System. Input from thousands of residents shaped the Strategic Framework, which is comprised of three focus areas: learning, enjoyment and community. Through the framework, the Library supports residents’ growth and curiosity, offers excellent reading choices, and connects and strengthens growing and changing communities.
Interested individuals may apply at trustee.pcls.us or at a Pierce County Library. Applications must be received by Friday, May 15, 2020, online or to the Pierce County Library System, Attn.: Executive Director’s Office, 3005 112th St. E., Tacoma, WA 98446.
Contact: Mary Getchell, Marketing and Communications Director
Mobile: 253-229-4477
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, 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
- Board to discuss services while closed due to COVID-19 - 4/6/2020
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.
piercecountylibrary.org
facebook.com/PierceCoLibrary
twitter.com/PierceCoLibrary
- Library Board to discuss focusing on enjoyment, a public agency award and more - 3/5/2020
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.
piercecountylibrary.org
facebook.com/PierceCoLibrary
twitter.com/PierceCoLibrary
- Board to discuss computers and upgrade to Parkland/Spanaway Library - 2/7/2020
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
- Library Board conducts public hearing on 2020 budget and addresses other issues - 12/5/2019
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
twitter.com/PierceCoLibrary
- Board to give direction on new libraries and conduct budget hearing - 11/8/2019
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
facebook.com/PierceCoLibrary
twitter.com/PierceCoLibrary
