Hillsboro library leaders outline collection size, levy timeline and plan to centralize purchases by 2027

Library staff updated the Hillsboro City Council on July 15 about current services, staffing and an ongoing Washington County Cooperative Library Services (WCCLS) funding and governance project that would move collection selection and processing to a centralized model in 2027.

Tammy, library staff, told councilors that Hillsboro’s system holds more than 293,000 items in 17 languages and that digital circulation rose about 18% over the past year. "Patrons tell us that what matters most to them about their library is the collections," Tammy said during the presentation. She also described the library’s role as a “third space” that provides computers, meeting rooms, cooling/warming during extreme weather and other services for residents.

The briefing emphasized the countywide WCCLS process now under way. That project has two stated goals: improve service consistency and equity across Washington County libraries and create a fiscally sustainable system. As part of that work, county staff and member libraries are planning a shift to centralized…