Pierce County Library System announcement.
PIERCE COUNTY, Washington – The Pierce County Library System’s Board of Trustees will discuss the Lakewood Pierce County Library, updates to policies, and other issues at its Board meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 10, 3:30 p.m.
Join the meeting in-person, by phone or online:
- Library’s Administrative Center, 3005 112th St. E., Tacoma.
- https://www.piercecountylibrary.org/about-us/board-trustees/board-agenda-packets/Default.htm
Lakewood Library. At a July 29, 2022, special meeting of the Board of Trustees, the Board authorized Library System administrators to negotiate a lease for temporary library space in Lakewood. When a lease is approved, the Library System will share information about the location and plans for the upcoming space, which the Library projects will begin serving the community in early 2023. In June, the Library System closed the aging Lakewood Library, because it was in critical condition. Architects’ building condition assessment estimated the current building at Wildaire Road SW requires $10 million-$15 million in repairs for improved safety and access. Appraisers estimated the value of the current building at $1.5 million. A community advisory committee, created by the Library System and the City of Lakewood, is reviewing options for how to provide quality library services in the long-term for Lakewood and Tillicum.
Policy updates. At the July Board of Trustees meeting, the Board reviewed proposed updates to the Public Comment at Board Meetings policy. The primary updates include aligning the policy with recent updates to Washington’s Open Public Meetings Act as well as adding a time limit for public comments. Also, at the July Board of Trustees meeting, trustees reviewed proposed updates to the Selection of Library Materials policy. The primary updates to the selection of materials policy include more details describing selection criteria, a new section clarifying an appeals process, and ensuring the policy supports the Library System’s commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion. At the August Board, meeting trustees will review further revisions to the policies and are expected to approve the updated policies. The Board will also review updates to the Provision of Public Art in Pierce County Library System Buildings policy to include removal or disposition of art that Board members have approved previously for display in libraries.
For more information: https://www.piercecountylibrary.org/about-us/board-trustees/board-agenda-packets/Default.htm
As a long time (40+ years) real estate investor in both residential and commercial real estate, the numbers quoted for value at $1.5M and required repairs at $10-15M sound highly suspicious. I’d like to see the valuation method used to arrive at value and repairs. I would think it quite unusual for the repairs of a building to exceed the value by a factor of 10. The question that has to be asked is “Who and why was the building allowed to degrade to this point?” Maintenance and repairs are the responsibility of good management; deferred maintenance and repairs indicative of a “slum lord”. So which is it? Take a look at your real estate taxes and you’ll see about 4% is dedicated to the library every year. What has library management been doing with that money? Clearly not just buying books. Before anyone suggests a new bond for a new building I think the public is due a full and accurate accounting of where their tax dollars have been spent in the library.
Pierce County Library System (PCLS) provides a pillar of Lakewood community.
Pierce County property tax allocation is shown on line at https://atip.piercecountywa.gov/app/parcelSearch/search. PCLS currently gets 3.5% of the total paid, generating $44,473,400 (2022 Budget; https://www.piercecountylibrary.org/files/library/2022-budget.pdf) to staff and operate 19 libraries. Sans justice and police, this amounts to running a complex, unconsolidated city – not an easy task to take lightly.
I agree that PCLS should be forthcoming about circumstance and costs with all aspects of its public service, and that we should be fully supportive and responsive to its mission and community benefit – a first class Lakewood Library being no exception. I’m confident PCLS will provide further detail and discussion related going forward regarding our library, its future and the service we expect and depend on. PCLS and the city have appointed a Citizens Advisory Board for to this purpose; next meeting Aug 12. That should be an opportunity to share more detail about associated values and costs (land and building).
It’s great that so many are interested and paying attention. Thank you for that.