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Lacey Library reports program growth, staff changes and remodel timeline
Summary
Library manager Christina Hancock updated the Lacey Library Board on March–May 2025 activities including energy-efficiency outreach, job resources, summer reading programming, staff coverage changes, the Tumwater Library reopening, new self-checkout/catalog kiosks and a postponement of some refresh spending to 2026.
Christina Hancock, Lacey Library manager, reported to the Lacey Library Board on June 12 about programs and operations for March through May 2025. She summarized outreach events, digital and physical checkout trends, staffing shifts tied to nearby library reopenings, new equipment and the status of a planned branch refresh.
Hancock said the library hosted a Thurston County “Energize Thurston” presentation at which about 47 people attended; the event connected residents to group-purchase discounts for heat pumps, offered bill-assistance and distributed weatherization kits. Hancock also described a Puget Sound Energy pop-up at the library that included bill-assistance tables and a taco truck.
She highlighted a Timberland Regional Library-supported employment resource called “Opportunity Begins Here” that connects employers and job seekers and noted the library’s LearningExpress Career Preparation database, which provides practice tests for a range of professional and academic exams. Summer reading is under way with four age-specific activity logs and the Beanstack phone app available for tracking reading.
On staffing, Hancock said Library Supervisor Lisa Heyerdahl is on extended leave and that library assistant Nicole Page has stepped into the interim supervisor role. Hancock noted that the Tumwater Library will reopen on June 28; staff who had been supporting Lacey will return to Tumwater, which will affect coverage at the Lacey branch.
Hancock reported technology and facilities updates: new checkout/catalog kiosks have been installed in all Timberland libraries and will replace catalog terminals after the Lacey remodel, and she said she has requested an automated external defibrillator (AED) for the building, noting, “I did ask for an AED… we don't have one in our building.”
On budget and the Lacey refresh, Hancock said some meeting-room and flooring expenditures planned for 2025 have been pushed to 2026. She described a recent meeting with staff member Shannon to coordinate the remodel timeline and said she will share proposed budget items with the board when available.
Hancock provided usage statistics showing growth in checkouts at Hawks Prairie, with year-over-year increases in digital checkouts of about 60 percent in March and 78 percent in April; May digital figures were not yet available at the time of the report. She closed by reminding the board of upcoming community events where the library will participate, including Lacey Polyfest and Capital City Pride on the weekend of June 28.
Board members asked procedural questions about the remodel budget and offered to assist with outreach if letters or other advocacy become appropriate; Hancock encouraged them to contact her between meetings for updates and to provide input.
