At its August meeting the Pierce County Library System’s Board of Trustees will discuss meeting community needs with library services and buildings, known as Pierce County Library 2030; results from a recent public opinion survey; projections for property tax revenues; and other issues. The Board of Trustees will meet at the Pierce County Library System’s Processing and Administrative Center, 3005 112th St. E., in Tacoma on Wednesday, Aug. 12, from 3:30 to 6 p.m.
Three of the primary issues the board will address include the following:
- Meeting community needs with library services and buildings–Pierce County Library 2030: Group 4, the architecture research and planning firm helping the Library develop a facilities master plan to meet community needs with future library services and buildings, will update the Board of Trustees on the plan. The consultants will talk about how changing technology could affect the plan; the Library’s role in being a gathering place for communities; and flexible services and buildings. The consulting firm is expected to present its final recommendations for the plan in December 2009. The draft recommendations consisted of increased seating; expanded spaces for people to read, study, and gather; more computers; and a wider selection of books and materials.
- The public’s opinion of the Library–To help build customer focus, deliver up-to-date programs and services, and improve public awareness and knowledge about services, the Library conducted a public opinion poll of 520 residents this spring. The results showed strong support for the Library to provide services to communities. More than two-thirds of the respondents believe that meeting the growing need for library services is a very serious (18 percent) or fairly serious (50 percent) problem. In all 75 percent said they would likely support funding future for library services and buildings–with 38 percent very likely and 37 percent somewhat likely. Their top priorities for services included a wider selection of books and other materials, computers and technology, and spaces and places to read, learn and gather.
- Projections for property tax revenues–The Board will review projected tax revenues for the next 10 years. Tax revenue is expected to decline for the next several years. The primary factors include reduced values on assessed properties and a drop in the construction of new buildings, which lowers the amount of property tax revenues for the Library. Approximately 96 percent of the Library’s funding comes from taxes on houses, commercial buildings and other property. The Board will discuss the implications that the drop in revenues has for the Library’s 2010 and future years’ budgets.
Pierce County Library’s 17 locations bring people together, enrich lives and provide children and adults with opportunities to learn. Pierce County Library is the fourth largest library system in the state, serving 534,000 people.
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