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 collection management (selection, purchase, cataloging and labeling) at WCCLS; Tammy said the county is targeting implementation to begin in early 2027 and estimated systemwide savings in an early draft at about $4,000,000 annually. Tammy said most of the projected savings would come from staffing reductions tied to consolidation, and that the county expects to shift some collection purchasing responsibility to WCCLS. Locally, Tammy said staff positions would be eliminated but that the library expects to absorb affected employees into other vacancies and that layoffs are not anticipated.

Tammy also outlined the library’s own strategic planning schedule: a community survey open through Aug. 3 (in five languages), focus groups and interviews now, a draft strategic plan expected late September or early October and a final plan in November to begin implementation in January. She said the library will hire two full‑time "digital navigator" positions next year, funded in part by a small remaining ARPA allocation so the program can continue in both branch locations.

On funding, Tammy said Hillsboro provides about 61% of the library’s budget from the city general fund, WCCLS provides roughly 38%, and grants and donations the remainder; she noted Friends and the Library Foundation are important program funders. Tammy reminded councilors that the countywide library levy (current rate cited as $0.22 per $1,000 assessed value) expires next year and that county staff are proposing a replacement levy of $0.37 per $1,000 to sustain current system levels. She said the county is polling voters and that a November ballot measure is planned.

Tammy warned of a separate possible funding risk at the federal level: proposed cuts to the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and its LSTA (Library Services and Technology Act) grants could reduce state library funding and services that WCCLS and local libraries rely on, such as some online databases, summer‑reading support materials and state training and advisory staff. "That funding is not something that we directly receive right now, but it trickles down to us via the state library and other sources," Tammy said.

Councilors asked for clarifications about local budget shares, how the collection centralization would change the city’s spending and which specific services could be affected if state or federal funding were reduced. Tammy said the levy replacement would sustain existing service levels but would not by itself cover any additional cuts that might result if IMLS funding were eliminated. Councilors asked staff to provide a city‑specific funding breakdown (past and projected) that shows the city’s share relative to WCCLS and the levy under various scenarios.

No formal council action was taken during the briefing; the presentation was informational and will feed future budget and WCCLS discussions.

Ending: Library staff asked councilors to share the strategic‑plan survey with residents and noted outreach plans for Spanish and other language communities. Staff and councilors agreed to follow up with more detailed budget and impact numbers as the county funding and governance process continues.