At its November meeting the Pierce County Library System’s Board of Trustees will discuss its 2010 budget, results from the Library’s card drive, 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 Thursday, Nov. 12, from 3:30 to 6 p.m.
Two of the primary issues the board will address include the following.
2010 budget–The Board will review two proposals for the Library’s 2010 budget. Both budgets make reductions to offset an estimated shortfall of approximately $1 to $1.5 million. The proposed reductions are based upon the following criteria:
- Making decisions in the best interest of the communities and taxpayers the Library serves.
- Providing up-to-date and future-oriented services.
- Preserving promises from the re-authorized levy voters passed in 2006.
- Developing and supporting technology.
One budget proposes addressing the $1.5 million shortfall, and reflects staff and service levels if the Board does not approve its legal authority to collect 1% more in tax revenue than it did in 2009. Not collecting $509,000 in tax revenue would be responsive to the taxpayer during these tough economic times.
If the Board declares a substantial need the shortfall would be approximately $1 million.
The proposed budget cuts respond to changing needs from the public and how the Library delivers services. The budgets also reflect enhancing and adding services in 2010 including more online services; additional computers for public use in libraries; increased services to support readers; and job resource centers to help prepare people for and find work.
Library card drive–the Library welcomed 8,117 new customers and re-welcomed 11,776 returning customers during its third annual card drive in October. For the first and only time in the Library’s history, during this year’s card drive, the Library gave amnesty to nearly 12,000 people who had outstanding fines and/or fees due to overdue books and other materials.
Pierce County Library is the fourth largest library system in the state, based on the number of people it serves, which is an estimated population of 554,000.