At its December meeting Pierce County Library System’s Board of Trustees plans to approve the Library’s 2013 budget; review progress by Pierce County Library Foundation; learn about a block play project for young children and discuss other issues.
The Board of Trustees will meet at the Library’s Processing and Administrative Center, 3005 112th St. E., in Tacoma, on Wednesday, Dec. 12, from 3:30 to 6 p.m.
2013 Budget: The Board of Trustees will conduct its second and final public hearing on its proposed operating budget of $25,423,927 for 2013. The draft budget addresses a $3 million budget shortfall, which is approximately 11 percent of the Library’s 2012 budget. The shortfall is primarily because of lower property values resulting in less tax revenue for the Library. Managers are proposing four primary priorities in 2013:
- Maintain core services defined by voters in 2006—access to library services, books and materials, services for children and teenagers, and customer service and technology.
- Be good stewards of taxpayers’ money.
- Provide up-to-date and future-oriented services.
- Build a customer base for the future.
Library Foundation report: Pierce County Library Foundation will share their successes from the past year. A total of 1,438 individuals and organizations gave generously to the foundation and contributed $252,347 to support library programs and services. The gifts supported important library programs including summer reading program for children and teenagers, the community one-book program Pierce County READS for adults, and Our Own Expressions, a teen writing and art contest. Funds are also helping to improve children and teen areas at Lakewood Pierce County Library.
Building blocks build young minds: Customer Experience Manager Judy Nelson will give an overview of a new program that involves building blocks to help build young minds. With funding from the Library Foundation, library staff is working with Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) teachers to develop math and science skills in preschool-age children. Starting in January seven Pierce County Libraries will hold block parties, called Block Play, for parents and caregivers to use building blocks to help children learn.
Library staff and ECEAP will offer other resources to help prepare children to succeed at school. Block play is a developmental tool that has been shown to increase children’s language and literacy skills and develop early math and science concepts.
Pierce County Library System’s 18 libraries and online library bring people together and provide children and adults with
