At its November meeting the Pierce County Library System’s Board of Trustees plans to offer a public hearing on the Library’s draft 2011 budget, and discuss the new University Place Pierce County Library, renovations for the Milton/Edgewood Pierce County Library, 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, Nov. 10, from 3:30 to 6 p.m. Three of the issues the board will focus on include the following.
- Draft 2011 Budget: The Board will offer its first of two public hearings, to gather public comments on the Library’s draft 2011 operating budget of $28.6 million and $3.9 million capital improvement budget. 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. 2011 marks the first year that the Library will collect property taxes from Fife residents. Even with the additional revenue from Fife property taxes, the Library is still facing a $125,000 budget shortfall for 2011. However, it is on track to keep its commitment of providing Fife with a full service library in 2011.
- University Place Library Building: Library staff will update the Board on progress to open the new University Place Library, with a grand opening set for Saturday, Feb. 12, 2011, at 12 p.m. Dec. 13-Feb. 6; staff will provide limited services and slightly reduced hours at the current location at 7315 27th St. W. The University Place Capital Campaign Committee continues to make significant progress, with generous gifts from the community. Pledges now total more than $534,000.
- Milton/Edgewood Library new location: Final renovations are on schedule in the new space for the Milton/Edgewood Pierce County Library in Surprise Lake Square. Construction workers did a remarkable job managing waste and debris during the remodel. In all, workers recycled or reused 95 percent of the debris from construction, which kept it from taking up space in a nearby landfill. Plans are underway for a community celebration for the grand opening of the library, which is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 13, 2011, 4 p.m. Dec. 21, through Jan. 8; the Milton/Edgewood Library will offer reduced services and limited hours at its current location at 1000 Laurel St. in Milton.
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.