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Mid-Columbia Libraries tells West Richland council patrons check out nearly 300,000 items last year
Summary
Mid-Columbia Libraries staff reported to the West Richland City Council that West Richland residents checked out about 295,000 items last year, the branch’s collection is valued at roughly $904,000, and 294 local residents completed a customer-satisfaction survey showing 96% overall satisfaction.
Mid-Columbia Libraries representatives presented the system’s annual report to the West Richland City Council on June 3, saying West Richland residents checked out roughly 295,000 items last year and that 294 local residents completed the library’s customer-satisfaction survey.
The report, delivered by Sarah Schwann and Amy Schmidt of Mid-Columbia Libraries, said the West Richland branch’s physical collection is valued at about $904,000 and that the city’s residents accounted for roughly 30% of systemwide checkouts. “Mid Columbia Library's mission is to empower people, support learning, and strengthen community through literacy, enrichment, and connection,” Schwann told the council.
The presentation put those numbers in context: 96% of West Richland survey respondents reported being “very satisfied” or “satisfied” with the libraries’ services, and 94% said the library plays an important role in lifelong reading. Amy Schmidt, identified in the report as branch manager for West Richland, said the branch has restored several programs paused during the COVID-19 period, added a baby story time and extra preschool and adult programs, and is seeing steady attendance at events such as therapy-dog story times and a chess club.
Schwann and Schmidt described the library’s broader strategy in three areas — literacy, enrichment and community connection — and said the system is piloting a 15-month reciprocal-borrowing partnership with nearby library systems called the Great River Library Partnership. The program currently covers physical items only; Schwann said Mid-Columbia’s digital collection is funded separately and is not included in reciprocal borrowing to protect taxpayer investments.
On digital services, the presenters emphasized that West Richland residents are heavy users of the library’s e-book and audiobook platforms. Schwann explained publishers’ licensing models make digital materials more expensive to maintain than physical books and that the system is monitoring those costs. She also noted the library offers Libby (the digital lending app) and a movie-streaming benefit called Canopy with a limited monthly allowance for patrons.
Schmidt estimated the West Richland branch to be the system’s third busiest and described outreach efforts such as curbside pickup and daily courier service among branches. The presentation cited a collection-value figure and related customer-savings anecdotes drawn from circulation receipts; Schwann said a single patron’s long-term use of the library had saved them thousands of dollars compared with buying materials.
Council members asked for clarifying figures during and after the presentation. When Councilmember Fred Brink asked how many West Richland residents completed the survey, Schwann answered, “294.” Councilmember John Smart asked whether the 295,000 figure included both physical and digital checkouts; Schmidt replied it did.
The council received the report; no formal action was taken at the meeting. The presenters encouraged residents to use Libby and highlighted summer programming with a gaming theme to engage children and adults.
