Pierce County Library System
Information & Imagination

TACOMA – The Pierce County Library System Board of Trustees will review the 2019 Strategic Plan, see a preview of the Summer Reading program, and address other issues at the board’s monthly meeting at the Administrative Center and Library, 3005 112th St. E., Tacoma, on Wednesday, May 8, at 3:30 p.m.

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

2019 Strategic Plan: The Pierce County Library’s 2019 Strategic Plan highlights the Library System’s 2019 projects. The Strategic Plan builds on the Library System’s Strategic Framework’s focus areas of learning, enjoyment and community. The Library System created the Strategic Framework in 2017, based upon input from thousands of individuals who shared the same concerns about what communities need most: living wage jobs, confidence in using technology, access to health and social services, learning resources for all ages, connecting individuals in communities, and convenient leisure activities.

• Examples of the projects highlighted in the 2019 Strategic Plan for learning with an emphasis on inspiring life-long learning include:
• Increasing engagement with schools and students with the Card in Every Hand program.
• Opening a law library at Lakewood Pierce County Library.
• Examples of projects for enjoyment to foster the love of reading include:
• Presenting A Year of Reading featuring Pierce County READS and other services.
• Updating books, movies and other materials and offering more e-books and audiobooks.
• Examples of projects for Community to engage with residents include:
• Engaging residents in Sumner, Lakewood and Tillicum to learn their interest and readiness for potential new libraries.
• Inspiring families with Our Community Adventure, a civic engagement program for two to five year olds.

Summer Reading Program: The Library’s “Universe of Stories” Summer Reading Program launches June 1 and runs through Aug. 31. Library staff is meeting with students in the 13 public school districts in the Library’s service area to talk about the numerous out of this world reading adventures this summer. For the first time this year, the Library will offer an online sign-up to easily track readers’ progress. Thanks to funding from the Pierce County Library Foundation for the first time, all participants will earn a book to keep when they complete the reading program. Also, participants are encouraged to donate food at all Pierce County Libraries for the Emergency Food Network. The highly successful free lunch program at the Parkland/Spanaway Pierce County Library is expanding to the Summit Pierce County Library this summer, too.

More information: See full board packet: https://www.piercecountylibrary.org/files/library/board-packet-05082019.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.

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TACOMA – The Pierce County Library System Board of Trustees will discuss recruiting for an upcoming vacancy on the board, potential new libraries in Lakewood, Tillicum and Sumner, services at the Fife Pierce County Library, and address other issues at the board’s monthly meeting at the Fife Library, 6622 20^th St. E., Fife, on Wednesday, April 10, at 3:30 p.m.

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

• Recruiting Board of Trustee member: The Library System is seeking a community-focused, engaged leader to be a member of its Board of Trustees. The successful applicant will help shape and guide library service throughout the Library System. Trustee Donna Albers’ term on the board ends in August. Trustees are non-paid positions and may be appointed for five-year terms and serve up to two consecutive terms. Trustees advocate for the Library System, approve budgets, adopt policies, and plan for the Library’s future.
• Potential new libraries: The Library System is developing plans to gather input and an understanding of the public’s interest and readiness to relocate and replace the current Lakewood, Tillicum and Sumner Pierce County Libraries. In 2009 the Library completed a Facilities Master Plan, Pierce County Library 2030, which provided a detailed analysis of library facilities, their use, and a proposal for facility needs in the future. Pierce County Library 2030 included a library services visioning process and gathered input from more than 5,000 community members, community leaders and stakeholders. The Library is currently updating the Facilities Master Plan.
• Fife Library services: The board will tour the Fife Library and hear how the community is responding to their first public library and the newest Pierce County Library, now eight years old. The 6,000 square foot library with skilled staff and rich resources has been delivering on its promise to the 10,000 Fife residents with spaces and places for learning, enjoying and connecting as a community. In 2018 staff rearranged books, movies, and other materials at the Fife Library, so people can more easily browse and find materials. The new shelving makes a greater use of the space and allows for more open areas for people to gather, study and work collaboratively. The library is highly loved and used by residents, with 7,400 registered card holders checking out 74,000 books, movies and other items from the library last year. Fife boasts 74 percent of its residents have active library cards, with many of the cards serving entire families!

Contact: Mary Getchell, Marketing and Communications Director

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

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

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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TACOMA – The Pierce County Library System is seeking a community-focused, engaged leader to be a member of its Board of Trustees. The successful applicant will help shape and guide library service throughout unincorporated Pierce County and 15 cities and towns annexed to the fourth largest library system in Washington state. 

“With voters’ recent approval to restore the Library System’s levy to its authorized rate and maintain services for growing and changing communities now is an opportune time to be a trustee,” said Library Executive Director Georgia Lomax. “The Library is committed to demonstrate and deliver value to every community member and to earn the public’s continued confidence and trust.”

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:

• Advocate for library services.
• Set goals and directions.
• Approve budgets.
• Adopt policies.
• Plan for the future.

Under the Library’s Strategic Framework, a multi-year plan to guide and direct the Library’s work, the Board of Trustees administer the overall direction and fiscal management of the Library System. Input from thousands of residents shaped the Strategic Framework, which resulted in three focus areas for library services: 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.

Trustees are non-paid positions and are appointed to a five-year term, and they may serve up to two consecutive terms.

Interested individuals may apply at trustee.pcls.us or at any Pierce County Library. Applications must be received by Tuesday, April 30, 2019, 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

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.

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TACOMA – The Pierce County Library System Board of Trustees will discuss selecting books and materials, get an update on the Library System’s 2019 strategic work plan, talk about filling an upcoming vacancy on the board, and address other issues at the board’s monthly meeting at the Administrative Center and Library, 3005 112th St. E., Tacoma, on Wednesday, March 13, at 3:30 p.m.

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

• Selecting books, movies and other materials: Collection Management Manager Tracey Thompson will share the tale of selecting tales from how the Library System chooses just the right book to read to a hospice patient to picking the perfect materials to help non-traditional students further their education. The Library System’s librarians truly picture the people in Pierce County for whom they are purchasing books and materials. This method seems to work very well, given people checked out the Library’s books and other items 6.6 million times in 2017 (2018 numbers are still being tallied). Thompson will describe balancing the popularity of offering e-books with the publishers’ complex method of pricing e-books.
• Strategic Work Plan—focus on small business owners and teen volunteers: The Board will review projects in the Library’s 2019 Strategic Work Plan including resources for small business owners and meaningful volunteerism for teenagers. For small businesses, Library staff is identifying small businesses and providing them with packets outlining the Library’s in-library and online resources to start and grow small businesses. For teen volunteers, staff is shaping Teen Library Corps, the Library’s teen volunteer program, which piloted during Summer Reading last year. This year the Library plans to expand the program and incorporate developing job skills into the volunteer program. 
• Recruiting Board of Trustee member: Trustee Donna Albers’ term on the board ends in August. The Board will begin a recruitment process in April for a new trustee. Trustees are non-paid positions and may be appointed for five-year terms and serve up to two consecutive terms. Trustees shape and guide library service, advocate for the Library System, approve budgets, and adopt policies.

More information: https://www.piercecountylibrary.org/files/library/board-packet-20190313.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

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TACOMA – The Pierce County Library System Board of Trustees will discuss business processes, the Library System’s 2019 strategic work plan, Pierce County READS, and other issues at the board’s monthly meeting at the Administrative Center and Library, 3005 112th St. E., Tacoma, on Wednesday, Feb. 13, at 4:30 p.m.

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

• Core business services: Library leaders will give an overview of how the Library System manages and measures business processes. Some of the business processes include the Library’s funding strategy to ensure it has operational funds to deliver valued services, collaborative planning and project management tools to produce projects on time and on budget, and automated audits of software systems such as the Library’s online catalog of books, movies and other materials.
• 2019 Strategic Work Plan: The Board will review the Library’s 2019 Strategic Work Plan highlighting work in the Library’s three main focus areas: learning, enjoyment and community. Projects on tap for 2019 include A Year of Reading to foster the love of reading for adults and Our Community Adventure to provide families with young children an adventure map of community activities and library resources.
• Pierce County READS winter 2019: The community one-book program, Pierce County READS, engages thousands of adults reading copies of the same book at the same time, and coming together as a community, which is a part of A Year of Reading. This winter’s Pierce County READS features bestselling author Kristin Hannah, author of “The Great Alone” and “The Nightingale.” The Pacific Northwest author with an international following will give a free talk and sign books Saturday, Feb. 16, at 1 p.m. at McGavick Conference Center on the Clover Park Technical College campus at 4500 Steilacoom Blvd. in Lakewood.

More information: https://www.piercecountylibrary.org/files/library/board-packet-20190213.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

TACOMA – The Pierce County Library System Board of Trustees will discuss technology to support library services, the Library System’s agreement with the Pierce County Library Foundation, accomplishments in 2018, and other issues at the board’s monthly meeting at the Administrative Center and Library, 3005 112th St. E., Tacoma, on Wednesday, Jan. 9, at 3:30 p.m.

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

• Technology Plan to support library services: Library staff will share a Five Year Technology Roadmap that establishes the Library’s initiatives for technology from 2018-2023. The roadmap identifies the Library’s overall technology goals, activities and projects through 2023. Overall the roadmap puts the Library System on a course to be a best-in-class library that provides innovative, modern and sustainable technology for the public and staff. The plan continues the Library’s investment to provide access to modern technology for all Pierce County residents and to help people in the areas where they have identified needing technology support, including resources to assess job skills and find employment and to improve digital literacy, as well as technology training for staff.
• Pierce County Library Foundation agreement: The Board will review an agreement between the Library System and the Pierce County Library Foundation that directs advocacy and fundraising the Foundation plans to conduct in 2019. In 2018 with generous donations from individuals and organizations, the Foundation provided $350,000 to support library services. The Foundation supports and furthers initiatives outlined in the Library’s Strategic Plan with a focus on learning, enjoyment and community. In 2019, the Foundation projects to provide another $350,000 to extend library services, beyond tax-supported funding. By state law, property taxes fund library services; property taxes fund approximately 95 percent of Pierce County Library’s services.
• 2018 Accomplishments: The Board will review significant accomplishments during 2018, including:
• Informing the public about library funding. Library staff informed the public about its funding, which resulted in voters approving a ballot measure to restore funding to the Library’s full legal amount of 50 cents for every $1,000 of assessed property value. The Library is committed to deliver value with the public’s investment to support residents’ growth and curiosity, offer excellent reading choices, and work to connect and strengthen growing and changing communities.
• E-book/audiobook checkouts increased by 18%. For the second year in a row, Pierce County residents made their Library System part of the prestigious million+ checkout club for e-books and downloadable audiobooks. In 2018 people checked out 1.2 million e-books and audiobooks, an 18% increase over 2017 checkouts.
• Teen Volunteer Corps. Last summer the Library created its first coordinated teenage summer volunteer program. In all 104 teens volunteered more than 1,600 hours.
• Gig Harbor Law Library Pilot. In partnership with the Pierce County Law Library, the Library System established a law library kiosk at Gig Harbor Pierce County Library. The law library provides Peninsula residents with free access to electronic and printed legal resources.

Contact: Mary Getchell, Marketing and Communications Director

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

More information: https://www.piercecountylibrary.org/files/library/board-packet-01092019.pdf

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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TACOMA – The Pierce County Library System Board of Trustees will meet to elect 2019 officers at a special board meeting at the Administrative Center and Library, 3005 112th St. E., Tacoma, on Tuesday, Dec. 18, at 10 a.m.

The Board will elect a board chair and vice-chair for 2019. Currently Rob Allen serves as chair and Daren Jones serves as vice chair. Other members of the board include Donna Albers, Monica Butler and Pat Jenkins.

Volunteer board members serve five-year terms. The Board is responsible for adopting policies and approving annual budgets.

Contact: Mary Getchell, Marketing and Communications Director

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

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

About Pierce County Library System

The nationally acclaimed Pierce County Library System serves 602,000 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

TACOMA – The Pierce County Library System Board of Trustees will hold the second and final public hearing on its draft budget for 2019 at the board’s monthly meeting at the Administrative Center and Library, 3005 112th St. E., Tacoma, on Wednesday, Dec. 12, at 3:30 p.m. The board will also discuss the results from the recent election that restored funding for the Library as well as elect officers for 2019.

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

• Final public hearing on 2019 draft budget: The Board of Trustees will take comments from the public on the Library’s 2019 draft budget. Then the Board is expected to pass a resolution to adopt the $36.4 million budget. The budget continues to build on the Library’s Strategic Plan, with a focus on learning, enjoyment and community. Property taxes make up approximately 95 percent of the Library’s revenue.
• Election results: In the Nov. 6 election, voters approved a levy lid lift with a 50.21 percent approval rate, with 106,844 voters casting yes votes to restore funding to the Library System. With the public’s investment the Library System will continue to support residents’ growth and curiosity, offer excellent reading choices, and work to connect and strengthen growing and changing communities. The restored levy will maintain library services and return the Library’s levy rate to its full legal amount of 50 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value. This would be an increase of approximately 10 cents per $1,000 of assessed property. The restored levy takes effect in 2019. The restored levy will maintain services including open hours at 20 locations and online library resources; 1.5 million books, e-books, movies and other materials; staff to support learning with thousands of classes and events; computers, Wi-Fi and technology; and community spaces.
• Officer election: The Board will elect a board chair and vice-chair for 2019. Currently Rob Allen serves as chair and Daren Jones serves as vice chair. Other members of the board include Donna Albers, Monica Butler and Pat Jenkins.

Contact: Mary Getchell, Marketing and Communications Director

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

More information: https://www.piercecountylibrary.org/files/library/board-packet-20181212.pdf

About Pierce County Library System

The nationally acclaimed Pierce County Library System serves 602,000 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

TACOMA – The Pierce County Library System’s Board of Trustees will discuss election results from its restored levy, 2019 budget and work plan including the first of two public hearings on the budget, and other issues at the Board’s meeting at Pierce County Library’s Administrative Center and Library, 3005 112th St. E., Tacoma, on Wednesday, Nov. 14, at 3:30 p.m.  

Restored levy: Today, Nov. 9, the Pierce County Elections Office projects it will have counted and reported 95 percent of the ballots for the Library’s restored levy ballot measure, Proposition No. 1. On election night approximately 92,000 of the 226,294 (as of Nov. 8) ballots had been counted. Proposition No. 1, a levy lid lift, would restore the Library’s levy rate to its full legal amount of 50 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value. To the owner of an average home assessed at $320,000 this would be approximately a $32 increase in 2019.

• The restored levy would maintain services including open hours at 20 locations and online library resources; 1.5 million books, e-books, movies and other materials; staff to support learning with thousands of classes and events; computers, Wi-Fi and technology; and community spaces.
• Without the restored levy, the Library System would further eliminate and reduce services including the hours libraries are open; the number of books, movies and other materials; and classes and events; as well as close two to three libraries.
• The restored levy was on the November ballot because costs to operate and maintain library services and libraries are increasing at a faster and higher rate than revenues.

2019 budget and work plan: With the ballot measure, library leaders created two budgets—one reflecting a restored levy with revenue at 50 cents per $1,000 and one reflecting a reduction in services with revenue at 39 cents per $1,000. If voters give a clear direction in today’s vote count, at the Nov. 14 Board meeting, the Board will conduct a public hearing on only one of the proposed budgets.

Contact: Mary Getchell, Marketing and Communications Director

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

More information: https://www.piercecountylibrary.org/files/library/board-packet-20181114.pdf

About Pierce County Library System

The nationally acclaimed Pierce County Library System serves 602,000 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

TACOMA – The Pierce County Library System’s Board of Trustees will discuss its restored levy ballot measure, results from recent services and programs, and other issues at the Board’s meeting at Pierce County Library’s Administrative Center and Library, 3005 112th St. E., Tacoma, on Wednesday, Oct. 10, at 3:30 p.m. 

Restored levy: On Nov. 6, Pierce County voters will cast ballots for Proposition No. 1 a levy lid lift to restore the Pierce County Library’s levy rate to its full legal amount of 50 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value. To the owner of an average home assessed at $320,000 this would be approximately a $32 increase in 2019.

At the October Board meeting, Library leaders will update the Board on activities the Library has been conducting to inform people about the ballot measure. Using the Library’s customary communications channels, staff informed thousands of people of the ballot measure at events in libraries and communities.

• The restored levy would maintain services including open hours at 20 locations and online library resources; 1.5 million books, e-books, movies and other materials; staff to support learning with thousands of classes and events; computers, Wi-Fi and technology; and community spaces.
• Without the restored levy, the Library System would further eliminate and reduce services including the hours libraries are open; the number of books, movies and other materials; and classes and events; as well as close two to three libraries.
• In 2006 voters passed a restored levy, and The Library System has met or surpassed all of the levy promises with funding that was projected to maintain services for up to six years. The Library has stretched that funding for 12 years. Since 2006 the Library’s service area population has grown by 16 percent to 602,000 people, and the number of people with library cards has grown by 63 percent to 323,000 people.
• The restored levy is on the November ballot because costs to operate and maintain library services and libraries are increasing at a faster and higher rate than revenues.

Service and program results: At the meeting, the Board will also learn about results from recent services and programs.

• Summer Reading: 19,000 children and adults read 14 million minutes and donated 3,610 pounds of food to the Emergency Food Network.
• Teen Library Corps: this summer the Library launched its first teen summer volunteer program this summer with an impressive response from Pierce County teenagers—113 teenagers gave 1,615 volunteer hours to help serve summer lunches, register children for Summer Reading, perform puppet shows, and conduct other activities.
• Strategic Plan focus on e-books and downloadable audiobooks: June-August 2018, the Library highlighted an area of its Strategic Plan and increased awareness and use of e-books and downloadable audiobooks, which resulted in nearly a 20 percent increase in the number of people checking out those items (June-August 2017: 19,674; June-August 2018: 23,477) and the number of e-books and audiobooks downloaded (June-August 2017: 267,359; June-August 2018: 314,456.)

Contact: Mary Getchell, Marketing and Communications Director

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

More information: https://www.piercecountylibrary.org/files/library/board-packet-20181010.pdf.

About Pierce County Library System

The nationally acclaimed Pierce County Library System serves 602,000 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