Lacey Library Board hears new regional manager’s report, approves June meeting date change

The Lacey Library Board on April 17, 2025 heard a report from new Timberland Regional Library regional manager Kristina Hancock about staffing, programming and a planned refresh of the Lacey branch, and voted to reschedule its June meeting from June 19 to June 12 at 5:30 p.m.

Hancock, who introduced herself as the regional manager for Lacey and Hawkes Prairie, described her background and early priorities. “I come from Arkansas. I was there for 25 years,” Hancock said, and told the board she previously directed a library serving people who are blind or print-disabled and earned a library degree from Wayne State. She said Timberland has adopted an “intelligent materials management” system that helps distribute popular items across branches and that the Lacey branch hosted preschool-through-fifth-grade visits, story times and an author reception this winter.

The report covered program and service updates. Hancock said author talks and children’s programming continued, the library’s outreach van (“Anywhere Library”) maintains stops in and near Lacey, and that some Medicare-related programs were canceled because of federal issues at the state level. She reported circulation trends the library has tracked: Lacey circulation was up about 4% year over year, while circulation at Hawkes Prairie rose about 42%.

Hancock outlined staffing changes and near-term operations. Lisa Heyerdahl is the new library supervisor managing circulation staff and is scheduled to begin leave on May 3; Hancock said that will leave her as the only manager onsite for a period. Blake has assumed the coordinating librarian role for programming staff. Hancock said Timberland staff member Brenda Lane is overseeing spatial design work for a planned refresh.

On the planned refresh, Hancock said the Lacey branch’s remodel has been scheduled for the first quarter of 2026 and described changes intended to open and reorganize the interior. She said the children’s area will move toward the back of the building and include a large, two-story play structure (described by staff as a “tree house”). Hancock said closures related to the remodel are expected to begin in late January 2026 and that the library and city will need to coordinate limited “takeout” or small-scale operations during construction. Board members asked about study rooms and budget requests; Hancock said she would confirm whether study rooms remain in the plan and would include that request in a budget submission to the city.

Hancock also noted systemwide items affecting local service: Tumwater branch is scheduled to reopen July 1, and an Olympia branch closure earlier this spring increased traffic at Lacey and Hawkes Prairie. She referenced federal funding concerns, saying the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) faced cuts discussed publicly by the state librarian.

On procedural business, the board approved the meeting agenda and the minutes from the Jan. 29, 2025 meeting. Later in the meeting the board voted to reschedule the June 19, 2025 regular meeting to Thursday, June 12, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. in a location designated under the city code. A motion to reschedule was made, seconded and approved by voice vote.

Board members also shared local event notices: a district elementary-level “Battle of the Books” competition scheduled April 23 at Salish Middle School and background on the Koiner Award, named for a former local librarian.

The board adjourned after final remarks and plans to meet on the newly scheduled June date.