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Timberland trustees brief Lewis County commissioners on new Randall branch, ‘Anywhere’ service and rising digital costs
Summary
Timberland Regional Library trustees gave commissioners an update on a newly opened Randall branch, expanded mobile “Anywhere Library” services, an expanded-access unstaffed hours pilot and rising costs of digital materials as the system adjusts to post‑COVID service models.
Timberland Regional Library trustees told the Lewis County Board of County Commissioners on May 20 that the regional system is expanding in-person and outreach services while contending with rising costs for digital materials and long-term fiscal pressures.
The trustees highlighted the Randall Library, dedicated earlier this year, as Timberland’s first new branch built by the system in several decades and said the library will host the trustees’ next monthly business meeting. "We have a new library in Randall," said Brian Mitke, Lewis County trustee for Timberland Regional Library, inviting the public to the meeting and public comment. "If you haven't seen it, go on the Timberland website."
Why it matters: Timberland serves five largely rural counties and relies on property taxes and timber revenue; trustees said the mix of in-person branches, mobile services and expanded-access (EAH) hours are ways to preserve service as revenue sources and operating costs shift.
Trustees described three main service areas: staffed branches, the Anywhere Library outreach van that sets up at community venues, and an expanded-access model that allows patrons to enter certain branches with a library card during unstafed hours. "We have it in...Packwood, Randall, [and other sites], you can get in from 7AM to 8PM, seven days a week," Mitke said, describing the EAH pilot that Timberland and trustees see as a cost-saving way to increase hours without adding staff.
Trustees also warned that digital checkouts are becoming a larger—and more expensive—share of circulation. "I don't know that the public understands that it costs more," Mitke said. He and Hal Blanton, at-large Lewis County trustee, explained that digital licenses often charge per checkout or for limited-time access, so buying digital content can cost the system more than purchasing a single physical copy.
On fiscal resilience, trustees said Timberland has worked to smooth year-to-year revenue swings as timber receipts have declined from past decades. The trustees noted the board has seven seats by statute but currently operates with five trustees while Thurston and Mason counties recruit replacements.
Discussion and next steps: Commissioners thanked the trustees for outreach and encouraged more in-person meetings. Trustees asked for community feedback on hybrid versus in-person meetings and promoted the Randall Library dedication and upcoming trustees meeting.
The presentation included staff and branch managers in attendance and invited public comment at the Randall meeting. No formal county action or funding change was proposed during the update.
