Rural library district chair outlines outreach, bookmobile and school programs; board to consider appointment to district board

At a Cowlitz County Board of Commissioners meeting (date not specified), Lisa Sudart, chair of the Cowlitz County Rural Partial Library District 4, described the district’s mission, recent activity and a proposed appointment to the district’s board.

Sudart explained the rural district was formed in 1996 to provide county residents outside city library service areas with library access and that the district’s five volunteer board members (appointed by county commissioners) contract with the city library to provide services. The district helped fund the library bookmobile with a $50,000 donation and recently approved part of the funding for a part‑time outreach librarian to serve rural residents and coordinate with the bookmobile.

Sudart described programs aimed at children and seniors (traveling‑trunk school programs, summer reading, partnerships with the Children’s Discovery Museum) and said school programming has increased steadily and is operating at capacity.

The rural board indicated it will present a candidate to fill a board vacancy; commissioners discussed the recommended applicant (Nina Smith) and said the rural board supported the appointment.

Why it matters: the rural district expands library access to areas without city library branches through outreach programs, the bookmobile and contract arrangements, and the board appointment affects local governance of those services.

Next steps: commissioners to consider the rural board’s appointment recommendation at the appropriate agenda item; the district will continue outreach and coordination with the city library.