Pierce County Library’s new executive director, Georgia Lomax, convenes her first board of trustees meeting this week. The board will hold a public hearing for the library’s proposed 2015 budget, will hear results from the 2014 summer reading program, and will learn about new services on the horizon for library customers. The board meets from 3:30 to 6 p.m. on Nov. 12, 2014, at the Pierce County Library Processing and Administrative Center, 3005 112th St. E., in Tacoma. The meeting is open to the public. Download the board packet here.

Public hearing for proposed 2015 budget

The board will hold a public hearing on the library’s proposed 2015 budget. This $28,063,748 budget introduces the first increase in expenditures since 2008.

Priorities include:

· Address critical functions affected by the recession

· Continue to make smart choices that support a sustainable future

· Provide up-to-date and future-oriented services for our customers

The proposed budget begins to restore the library’s capital improvement fund and cash reserves, both of which were partially used during the recession to prevent further reductions in services and staff. The proposed budget adds critical technology improvements in hardware, software and web-based services that were not implemented during the recession. The proposed budget calls for greater attention to employee development (training, compensation, and new strategies for effective communication). Also proposed is a 1.8 percent COLA. Board packet  (pp.53-174)

Expanded summer reading program

Pierce County Library served 29,029 kids, teens and adults with its 2014 Summer Reading Program. The program saw an 11 percent boost in kids who registered vs. last year. Event attendees were up by 11 percent as well. The number of hours read jumped by 15 percent. This year the library added two new elements: bonus activities for children and parent/adult reading. Staff extended service into the community through increased Summer Explorer bookmobile hours funded by $25,000 in grants raised by Pierce County Library Foundation. Board packet (pp.176-189)

New and improved services on the horizon

·         Technology training for customers is a service priority for 2015. The library works to help boost computer skills among residents, including teens, small business owners, young professionals and individuals interested in obtaining IT jobs. Customers will have convenient 24/7 access to technology as well as personal connection with library staff. A major first step has been made possible through a $49,000 Digital Skills Training grant from the Washington State Library. Board packet (pp.40-44)

·         Teen Summer (Reading) Challenge and Scout online experiences will have more to offer customers thanks to improved functionality of the platform that runs the programs. Improvements to the programs will move forward sooner than expected due to a $25,000 SPARKS grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Board packet (pp.40-44)

·         The Latino Business Seminar Project will offer a series of seminars to encourage, inform and celebrate Hispanic/Latino entrepreneurs through workshops, speakers and resource information. Bates Technical College initiated the project and has invited Pierce County Library and other community organizations to collaborate. Other partners include the City of Tacoma and Pierce County’s economic development departments, University of Washington Tacoma’s Urban Studies and Centro Latino. Board packet (pp.40-44)