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Timberland Regional Library reports digital growth, ‘Anywhere Library’ service in Mason County
Summary
Trustees and staff told Mason County commissioners that while physical checkouts dipped slightly in 2024, digital checkouts rose 13% locally and new mobile and expanded-access programs aim to broaden service.
Timberland Regional Library trustees reported to the Mason County Board of Commissioners on April 29 that physical checkouts in Mason County fell about 1% in 2024 while digital use rose 13%, and the system is expanding mobile and after‑hours access to reach more residents.
"Okay. So, hi. I'm Toni Gwen. I'm the trustee from Pacific County," said Toni Gwen, the Timberland board member who presented the report along with the system's regional manager, identified in the meeting as Annie. Gwen said Mason County had 259,616 physical checkouts in 2024 and 99,143 digital checkouts, and that 31,315 county residents hold library cards.
The report said Timberland served about 550,000 people across its counties in 2024 and that Mason County’s 13% increase in digital checkouts ranked third among Timberland’s counties. The trustees noted a system milestone: Timberland expects to reach its 200,000,000th digital title checkout in May 2025.
Presenters described several service expansions affecting Mason County. The "Anywhere Library," a van-based mobile service, is visiting locations including the Mason County Senior Activity Center, Shelton YMCA, Squaxin Island Child Development Center, Shelton United Methodist Church, the North Mason Hub Senior Center and community events. The system also has an expanded access program that allows entry to certain libraries between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. with a library card.
Gwen said the Mountain View Library opened in January and that Shelton Library has become a "destination library" with a prominent children's play structure. She noted that Timberland has achieved clean financial and accountability audits for five consecutive years.
Staff also briefed commissioners on facility refreshes and equipment upgrades: Tumwater is scheduled for a refresh this summer, Ocean Park will close for a refresh in June and reopen in August, and new checkout equipment is expected to arrive May 25 to improve materials flow.
Annie, the regional manager, described a recent supervisory restructuring that lets programming staff rotate among the three Mason County branches so smaller communities such as Hoodsport and North Mason can access more programs. She said this regional approach aims to treat the county as a single service area rather than separate library buildings.
Presenters encouraged residents to use library services, highlighted a new Timberland podcast and online merchandise store, and invited commissioners to promote the system. Commissioners asked questions about after‑hours access; presenters said patrons must use a library card to enter and that the program has had few incidents.
The presentation closed with trustees asking residents to spread the word about library services and programs.
