Pierce County Library wants to know you better to serve you better | Pierce County LIbrary

When was the last time someone asked how you were doing and really meant it? Pierce County Library System is asking, and we really want to know. Pierce County Library is creating a roadmap to guide us through the years ahead. We’re on track to roll out a strategic plan this summer. That work starts with querying residents, those who use the library as well as those who don’t. There are two ways to get involved: take our five-minute online survey or drop in to an open house.

When was the last time someone asked how you were doing and really meant it? Pierce County Library System is asking, and we really want to know.

“We can’t predict the future, but we can be ready for whatever it brings,” said Georgia Lomax, the library’s executive director. “We want to know what matters to people—what they enjoy, what complicates their lives, what’s important to them, and how the library can be part of their world. Then we can match our services with their reality.”

Pierce County Library is creating a roadmap to guide us through the years ahead. We’re on track to roll out a strategic plan this summer. That work starts with querying residents, those who use the library as well as those who don’t. There are two ways to get involved: take our five-minute online survey or drop in to an open house.

Online survey

Questions focus on residents’ lives—their challenges and joys—and their communities. “We didn’t want to lead with the standard ‘what do you want from your library’ question,” explained Lomax. “We want our residents to challenge our thinking. What do they need? What will make their lives better? There might be something very unlibrary-like that would make perfect sense for today’s modern library to do, along with tried and true library standards like good books and helpful staff.”

Take the survey at future.pcls.us.

Open houses

Pierce County Library System is literally opening the doors to listen to customers and potential customers. We invite residents to tell us about the activities they enjoy, favorite pastimes, challenges they face and their ideas about what makes community. And finally, what do they want from Pierce County Library? The open houses are designed to be fun and thought-provoking. In just a few minutes, anyone can provide valuable feedback that will help guide the library in the future.

Open house schedule

– Feb. 22, 4-6 p.m., Lakewood Pierce County Library, 6300 Wildaire Road S.W. 98499 • 253-548-3302

– Feb. 29, 4-6 p.m., Summit Pierce County Library, 5107 112th St. E., Tacoma 98446 • 253-548-3321

– March 1, 5-7 p.m., University Place Pierce County Library, 3609 Market Place W., Suite 100, 98466 • 253-548-3307

– March 5, 1-3 p.m., Gig Harbor Pierce County Library, 4424 Point Fosdick Drive N.W. 98335 • 253-548-3305

– March 5, 1-3 p.m., Tillicum Pierce County Library, 14916 Washington Ave. S.W., Lakewood 98498 • 253-548-3314

– March 7, 4-6 p.m., Buckley Pierce County Library, 123 S. River Ave. 98321 • 253-548-3310 or 360-829-0300

– March 7, 5-7 p.m., Fife Pierce County Library, 6622 20th St. E. 98424 • 253-548-3323

– March 8, 4-6 p.m., DuPont Pierce County Library, 1540 Wilmington Drive 98327 • 253-548-3326

– March 8, 5-7 p.m., Graham Pierce County Library, 9202 224th St. E. 98338 • 253-548-3322

– March 9, 3-5 p.m., Sumner Pierce County Library, 1116 Fryar Ave. 98390 • 253-548-3306

– March 12, 1-3 p.m., Eatonville Pierce County Library, 205 Center St. W. 98328 • 253-548-3311 or 360- 832-6011

– March 14, 6-8 p.m., Administrative Center and Library, 3005 112th St. E., Tacoma 98446-2215 • 253-548- 3300

– March 15, 4-6 p.m., Parkland/Spanaway Pierce County Library, 13718 Pacific Ave. S., Tacoma 98444 • 253-548-3304

– March 19, 1-3 p.m., Milton/Edgewood Pierce County Library, 900 Meridian E., Suite 29, Milton 98354 • 253-548-3325

– March 19, 1-3 p.m., South Hill Pierce County Library, 15420 Meridian E. 98375 • 253-548-3303

– March 21, 5-7 p.m., Key Center Pierce County Library, 8905 KPN, Lakebay 98349 • 253-548-3309

– March 21, 4-6 p.m., Orting Pierce County Library, 202 Washington Ave. S. 98360 • 253-548-3312

– March 21, 4-6 p.m., Steilacoom Pierce County Library, 2950 Steilacoom Blvd. 98388 • 253-548-3313

– March 23, noon-2 p.m., Anderson Island Pierce County Library, Anderson Island Community Club, 11319 Yoman Road 98303 • 253-548-3536

– March 28, 4-6 p.m., Bonney Lake Pierce County Library, 18501 90th St. E. 98391 • 253-548-3308