At its October meeting the Pierce County Library System’s Board of Trustees plans to discuss its 2011 budget, opening the Milton/Edgewood Library in its new location, University Place Library Capital Campaign, 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, Oct. 13, from 3:30 to 6 p.m. Three of the issues the board will focus on include the following.
- 2011 Budget: The Library’s 2011 projected operating budget of $28.6 million reflects a lower revenue shortfall than anticipated. The shortfall is now projected to be $125,000 less revenue in 2011 than in 2010, which is due to a 9.7 percent decline in the value of property in the Library’s service area. Approximately 97 percent of the Library’s funding comes from taxes on houses, commercial buildings and other property. Priorities in the 2011 budget include maintaining promises from the levy voters approved in 2006, making decisions in the best long-term interest of tax payers, providing up-to-date services, and building the Library’s customer base.
- University Place Library Capital Campaign: Thanks to the University Place Library Campaign the new University Place Library will shine with innovative features including more books, resources and technology. Pierce County Library Foundation Director Lynne Hoffman will update the Board of Trustees on the campaign’s progress to raise funds from private donations to add innovative features and technology to the new library. This month the campaign is launching an Adopt-A-Book fundraiser which will give people an opportunity to select or adopt a book for the new library by giving a gift of $50 to the campaign. To date, generous contributions from individuals and organizations have pledged $519,000 for the library campaign.
- Milton/Edgewood Library new location: Thursday, Jan. 13, 2011, Milton/Edgewood Pierce County Library will open its doors at a new location, in the Surprise Lake Square, at 900 Meridian Ave. E., Suite 28. Residents of Milton and Edgewood will delight in services from a larger, more centrally located library. Pierce County Library will deliver a library to better meet the needs of residents in the growing communities. The new centrally located library will be more accessible for both Milton and Edgewood residents. The Library is inviting all residents to attend a grand opening on Jan. 13, starting at 4 p.m.
The Library System has been serving people in Pierce County for 64 years. The Library’s service area now spans 1,800 square miles and the Library serves an estimated 554,000 people.