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Tualatin proclaims April National Library Week as advisory committee urges funding protections
Summary
The Tualatin City Council adopted a proclamation declaring April 2025 National Library Week. Library director Jeri Anne Thompson reported rising use this year, and the Tualatin Library Advisory Committee asked council to protect hours and pursue alternative funding as a countywide review of library services continues.
The Tualatin City Council on March 24 adopted a proclamation declaring April 2025 National Library Week in Tualatin and heard the library advisory committee's annual report urging the council to protect library hours and consider alternative funding.
The announcement and proclamation were read by City Council President Pratt and followed a presentation by Jeri Anne Thompson, Tualatin Public Library director and equity inclusion officer. Thompson said, "In the first 3 months of 2025 we've seen a 5% increase in visits compared to 2024," and noted higher program attendance and increased use of e-books and digital media.
The Tualatin Library Advisory Committee (TLAC), represented at the meeting by Chair Dana Palino and Vice Chair Ashley Payne, reviewed the committee's 2024 activities and recommended that the city commit to protecting the library's open hours, materials, services and programs. TLAC also asked council to explore alternate funding sources and said it will participate in the Washington County Cooperative Library Services (WCCLS) countywide evaluation of library services, funding and governance.
TLAC reported it reviewed three library policies this year (makerspace use, meeting rooms and confidentiality of library records), supported teen and community programming, and planned to help update the library strategic plan later in 2025. Palino and Payne told council the committee plans to remain engaged in the WCCLS review and to provide fiscal and programmatic recommendations to city staff.
Councilors asked staff and TLAC volunteers to continue coordinating with county officials. Council President Pratt and other members noted concern about possible reductions in county-supported hours and discussed the need for local planning should county funding change.
The proclamation was introduced and adopted by the council on the night of March 24, 2025. TLAC said it will follow the WCCLS process and return with detailed recommendations for funding options and hours protection should the county evaluation require local responses.
