- Board to discuss selecting books and materials and other issues - 3/7/2019
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
twitter.com/PierceCoLibrary
- Board to discuss business processes, work plan and other issues - 2/10/2019
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
- Board to discuss technology to support services and other issues - 1/3/2019
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
twitter.com/PierceCoLibrary
- Pierce County Library’s Board of Trustees to elect 2019 officers - 12/13/2018
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
- Board to hold final public hearing on 2019 budget - 12/6/2018
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
- Library Board to discuss restored levy election results, 2019 budget and other issues - 11/9/2018
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
- Board to discuss restored levy, service results and other issues - 10/4/2018
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
- Board tours Gig Harbor Library and discusses library operations - 9/6/2018
TACOMA – The Pierce County Library System’s Board of Trustees will learn about services at Gig Harbor Pierce County Library and will discuss its restored levy ballot measure and other issues at the Board’s meeting at Gig Harbor Library, 4424 Point Fosdick Drive NW, Gig Harbor, on Wednesday, Sept. 12, at 3:30 p.m.
Gig Harbor Library services
Gig Harbor residents are known to say and show “we love our library,” and the Pierce County Library’s Board of Trustees will find out how much this community of readers learns from and enjoys their library. The library boasts the highest checkout rate of any of the 20 Pierce County Libraries with people checking out 705,000 books, movies and other materials from Gig Harbor Library last year. Nearly 30,000 people have active library cards – that is three times more than the population of the city of Gig Harbor. The library is known for its resources and classes for small business owners and technology and other classes it takes to senior living facilities. Recently the Library System partnered with Pierce County Law Library to establish a law library kiosk at Gig Harbor Library.
Restored levy
Library leaders will update the Board on election documents filed with Pierce and King County Elections Offices for Proposition No. 1, a levy lid lift to restore the Library’s funding 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. To the owner of an average home assessed at $320,000 this would be approximately a $32 increase in 2019.
If voters approve the Nov. 6 ballot measure, 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 re-stored levy, and The Library System has met or surpassed all levy promises with funding from the 2006 levy that was projected to maintain services for up to six years. The Library has stretched that funding for 12 years.
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. Property taxes make up approximately 94 percent of the Pierce County Library’s revenue. State law limits local governments, including the Pierce County Library, to an increase in property taxes of no more than 1 percent plus property taxes from new construction each year.
More information: http://www.piercecountylibrary.org/files/library/board-packet-20180912.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 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
- Library’s Board of Trustees to discuss restored levy and other issues - 8/2/2018
TACOMA – The Pierce County Library System’s Board of Trustees plans to discuss its restored levy ballot measure, an improved way to request books, and other issues at the Board’s meeting at Pierce County Library’s Administrative Center and Library, 3005 112th St. E., Tacoma, on Wednesday, Aug. 8, at 3:30 p.m.
Restored levy
At the July Board meeting, the Trustees passed a resolution to place a restored levy, also known as a levy lid lift on the Nov. 6 general election ballot. A restored levy would maintain Pierce County Library’s 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. 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.
Since 2009 to manage its budget, the Library System has eliminated, reduced, streamlined or did not offer needed services and deferred maintenance totaling $20 million.
The primary reason the restored levy will be on the November ballot is because costs to operate and maintain library services and libraries are increasing at a faster and higher rate than revenues. State law limits local governments, including Pierce County Library, to an increase in property taxes of no more than 1 percent plus property taxes from new construction each year.
Improved book requests system
In July the Library System launched an improved way for the public to ask for books the Library System doesn’t have in its collection. In the first week people placed more than 500 requests. Librarians review the requests and determine if the recommendations would be an item that many people in our service area might enjoy or whether the item is more specific and primarily for the individual requestor. If it is an item that has broad appeal or meets other selection criteria, a librarian will purchase it for Pierce County Library’s collection. If the item doesn’t meet the Library’s selection criteria, the Library will try to borrow it from another library system through a national interlibrary loan program.
Contact: Mary Getchell, Marketing and Communications Director
253-548-3428-office; 253-229-4477-mobile
More information: http://www.piercecountylibrary.org/files/library/board-packet-20180808.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
- Library expected to ask voters to restore levy - 7/5/2018
TACOMA – The Pierce County Library System’s Board of Trustees is expected to take a formal step to ask voters to restore its levy. At the Board of Trustees meeting at Pierce County Library’s Administrative Center and Library, 3005 112th St. E., Tacoma, on Wednesday, July 11, at 3:30 p.m. the Board is expected to pass a resolution that would put the restored levy on the Nov. 6, 2018 general election ballot.
The restored levy, also known as a levy lid lift, would maintain services including convenient open hours at 20 locations and online library resources; 1.5 million books, e-books, movies and other materials; staff to support growth and learning with thousands of classes and events; computers, Wi-Fi and technology offerings; as well as community connector services such as public meeting rooms and community events and forums.
Without the restored levy, the Library System would need to further eliminate and reduce services including the hours libraries are open; the number of books, movies and other materials; and close two to three of its 18 full service libraries.
Since 2009 to manage its budget, the Library System has eliminated, reduced, streamlined or did not offer needed services and deferred maintenance totaling $20 million.
The restored levy is needed primarily because costs to operate and maintain library services and libraries are increasing at a faster and higher rate than revenues. By Washington State law, local governments, including Pierce County Library, are limited to no more than an increase of 1 percent in property taxes plus property taxes from new construction each year.
The only other time the Library asked voters to restore its levy funding was in 2006. Voters approved that levy, which the Library System projected would meet service needs for up to six years. The Library has stretched that funding for 12 years now. Since then, the population in the Library’s service area has grown by 16 percent, and at the same time the number of people with Pierce County Library cards grew by 63 percent.
At the June Board meeting a Community Advisory Committee that had analyzed the Library’s funding and input from the public, recommended that the Board ask voters to restore the Library’s funding to its full authorized amount of 50 cents for every $1,000 of assessed property value. Without a levy lid lift, the Library’s 2019 levy is projected to be 41.5 cents for every $1,000 of assessed property value.
Contact: Mary Getchell, Marketing and Communications Director
253-548-3428-office; 253-229-4477-mobile
More information: http://www.piercecountylibrary.org/files/library/board-packet-20180711.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.
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