Antoinette, representing Sno-Isle Libraries staff, presented the 2024 community report and highlighted circulation trends and new services for the Lake Stevens branch.

Antoinette said physical checkouts at the district level remained essentially flat between 2023 and 2024 at about 3,360,000 items, while digital checkouts rose from 4,480,000 in 2023 to 5,240,000 in 2024. She explained a recent change to the Libby/OverDrive hold policy: the library district reduced the number of holds a patron can place on digital items (the presenter said the limit was reduced from 20 to 10) to keep costs manageable because OverDrive’s licensing model can force the library to automatically purchase additional digital copies when holds hit platform thresholds. Antoinette said libraries are charged hundreds of dollars per popular digital copy and that rising use has pushed the district to tighten digital-hold allowances.

Sno-Isle staff also reported programming and services: the district is running its annual adult reading program, Sno-Isle Reads Together, featuring Accordion Eulogies by Noe Alvarez, with author events in May; reciprocal lending agreements with nearby library systems remain available to patrons who want access to other digital collections; and staff provided information about the district’s response to potential changes in Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) funding. Antoinette said Sno-Isle does not receive direct IMLS funds but that state-level programs funded by IMLS (for example, some archival services, databases and E-Rate-related services) could be affected depending on federal changes. The district’s executive director, Eric Howard, signed a letter coordinated with the secretary of state and other library directors; Antoinette included a link in the report.

Antoinette said Sno-Isle has partnered with the Alzheimer’s Association to respond to growing demand for memory-care resources. Lake Stevens staff created nine memory-care kits for checkout at the Lake Stevens branch only: three kits each for beginning, mid and late stages of memory loss. Kits will include caregiver support resources, activities, sensory items (scents, music, photographs) and puzzles/games. The kits will be barcoded, non-holdable, loaned for three weeks, and available at the Lake Stevens branch after the final program in mid-May; they cannot be picked up or returned at other Sno-Isle branches.

On construction, Antoinette said Big Blue Construction is on site handling civil and earthwork, including utility and sewer work on Ninth Street, and that parking lot paving will begin soon. She gave a project duration of 15 to 18 months and a target completion in spring 2026; summer reading 2026 is expected to occur in the new building if the schedule holds.

Antoinette said Sno-Isle staff development day ("Silcon") will close libraries for staff training on May 21, but the Lake Stevens branch will remain open for self-service hours. She invited board members to review the full 2024 community report included with the packet.

No formal board action was taken on these informational items at the meeting.