Library official outlines services, funding and planned months-long remodel closure

At the City Council meeting on Sept. 8, 2025, Aaron Lofelbein, a library representative for North Central Washington Libraries, told the council that the Ephrata branch offers free Wi-Fi, digital resources and a range of programs and will close for an estimated four to five months for a remodel that is now expected to start in late spring next year. Lofelbein said the branch’s service area covers five counties and that residents who hold a library card can borrow up to 100 items at a time.

The presentation outlined why the branch matters to residents: it provides public computers, workforce-development tools such as LinkedIn Learning and test and career prep, a new Mango language-learning subscription, and outreach to schools, the food bank and local preschools. Lofelbein said the library averaged about 2,800 visits per month and about 3,200 circulations per month during the summer program, and the summer program had more than 250 participants.

Library funding and the remodel were central to the discussion. Lofelbein told the council that roughly 95% of the library district’s revenue comes from local taxes; the district is a junior taxing district and the city contracts with the district so in-town residents do not see a separate line on their property tax bill. He described small additional revenue from fees and from subsidies for some online resources. Lofelbein said the branch’s remodel timeline is “probably late spring next year” and staff estimate the branch will be closed about four to five months for construction.

Lofelbein described steps staff are planning to reduce service disruption during the closure, including options for a small temporary location, a trailer on site for holds pick-up and continued outreach through other district branches. He said some branches in the district have telehealth booths and that the branch maintains a meeting room that can be reserved for private telehealth or one-on-one meetings; staff will also convert an existing room into a smaller reservable study room after the remodel.

On the challenges libraries face with increasing digital services, Lofelbein said, “I think there’s there’s a lot of challenges going on right now to libraries, but libraries are … here to stay.” He added that the branch is working to expand partnerships — including with a local hospital foundation, schools and a small-business alliance — and to restore patronage after the pandemic lull.

Council members asked about the risk that a months-long closure could depress patronage; Lofelbein said staff are exploring ways to keep people connected to the library while the building is closed. He also described promotional activities for September (National Library Card Sign-up Month), the branch’s free printing allowance for cardholders ($5 per week), and the library district’s 30 locations and bookmobile.

Lofelbein closed by inviting council members and residents to review remodel previews and floor plans on the district website and by offering to sign up new cards after the meeting.