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Timberland Regional Library outlines services, usage and Yelm operations
Summary
Timberland Regional Library staff summarized system-wide programs, Yelm usage statistics and local services — including an ‘Anywhere Library’ mobile service and expanded-access hours — and announced Brenda Cameron as the incoming regional manager for Yelm.
Brenda Cameron, who will be the new regional manager for Yelm and surrounding service sites, told the Yelm City Council that Timberland Regional Library provides services across five counties and 29 branches and described local usage and programs.
Cameron said Timberland’s projected revenue for the year is $28,100,000 and explained the library is a junior taxing district authorized under state law to levy up to 50 cents per $1,000 of assessed value; Timberland currently levies about 23 cents. She said the system budgets about $5,000,000 for content (books, e-audiobooks and online resources) this year and that Timberland provides free public internet, printing, scanning and mobile services called “Anywhere Library.”
The presentation included Yelm-specific statistics for 2024: 23,818 active library card holders; 2,463 new cards issued; 149,701 physical items checked out; and 85,711 downloads of digital items (systemwide digital downloads were noted as roughly 2.1 million). Cameron said the system held 397 events with 12,148 attendees and that Timberland ranks among the top 50 public libraries globally by annual circulation when it previously exceeded 1 million checkouts.
Cameron described a district-wide “expanded access hours” pilot that uses an electronic key-card system allowing patrons to enter select branches outside staffed hours (example hours cited: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., including Sundays and holidays). She said the program has been used in multiple smaller branches and that one key card works across participating libraries in the district. She also noted partnerships with WorkSource and PacMtn for onsite workforce services and with local colleges and nonprofits for FAFSA/WAFSA and legal-aid outreach.
Councilors asked about space constraints at the Yelm branch; Cameron said community growth means the branch needs a larger meeting room and more space. She also noted Timberland has invested in physical improvements across the district (about a little over $1 million into 12 libraries) and that the system employs about 250 staff.
The presentation closed with the announcement that Cameron will begin her role on Sept. 15; handouts distributed to council included the Timberland Regional Library annual report, a summary of major services, a Yelm-at-a-glance sheet and information on the Anywhere Library mobile service.
