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Walla Walla library directors propose year‑long reciprocal‑borrowing pilot with regional systems
Summary
Library director Heather told council a funding‑neutral pilot with Mid‑Columbia, Columbia County, Richland and Walla Walla County rural libraries would run Jan. 2025–Apr. 30, 2026, expand patrons’ access to physical collections and be limited to physical materials and databases (no e‑books).
The Walla Walla City Council heard a proposal on Dec. 16 for a regional reciprocal‑borrowing pilot that would allow patrons holding a card from participating libraries to check out physical materials directly at partner libraries.
Library director Heather described the pilot as funding‑neutral and designed to run from January 2025 through April 30, 2026, to collect usage data and help shape a longer‑term agreement. Participating systems named in the presentation include Columbia County Library (Dayton), Mid‑Columbia Libraries (operates multiple libraries in Benton, Franklin and West Adams counties), Richland Public Library, and the Walla Walla County Rural Library District. The pilot would restrict access to physical materials and databases; e‑books and streaming media would be excluded because of licensing and cost‑sharing complications.
Why it matters: Reciprocal borrowing expands the state of available physical collections to patrons without immediate transfer costs between libraries and can reduce duplication of expensive programming and author visits by allowing partners to share events and speakers.
Procedure and next steps: Heather said the pilot requires vendor setup (to prevent ebook checkouts on the reciprocal card type), minor staff training and board/council approvals via an interlocal agreement. She told council the library boards and partner councils were taking action in the coming days and that the Walla Walla Council would see the interlocal agreement on the regular session agenda the following Wednesday. “Our recommendation at this point is that we run a pilot project from January of 2025 through April 30, 2026,” Heather said.
Council reaction: Members expressed broad support for the idea, asked how it differs from interlibrary loan (interlibrary loan remains available and unchanged), and raised concerns rooted in prior reciprocal efforts; Heather said any partner that declines to participate would simply be excluded from the pilot and that the program is designed to be data‑driven and reversible.
Attribution: Reporting is based on the Dec. 16 work session presentation by Heather (library director) and subsequent council Q&A recorded in the meeting transcript.
Ending: Council will consider the interlocal agreement and any related resolutions at the next regular meeting; staff will provide quarterly reports if the pilot is approved.
