Library Board conducts public hearing on 2020 budget and addresses other issues

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.
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