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King County Library System highlights programs, summer reach in Woodinville
Summary
Denise Begalo of the King County Library System told the Woodinville City Council KCLS served roughly 200,000 visitors at Kingsgate and Woodinville libraries in 2024, with about 20,000 active cardholders; she highlighted children’s book clubs, Reading with Rover, summer reading participation and partnerships for meals and county services.
Denise Begalo, regional manager for the King County Library System, briefed the Woodinville City Council on Oct. 7 about services and programs for Woodinville residents.
Begalo opened with systemwide usage numbers, saying Kingsgate and Woodinville libraries together saw about 200,000 visitors in 2024 and roughly 20,000 cardholders used their cards at least once during the year. "Combined total with digital and physical checkouts...it's just a little over 1,000,000 items have checked out," she said.
She highlighted children's and family programs that KCLS runs locally, including newborn–age‑5 story times, elementary‑age book clubs, and a monthly "Reading with Rover" program held at both Kingsgate and Woodinville libraries that fills rapidly. Begalo also described summer‑reading efforts—noting a launch event that drew about 700 people at one Woodinville site—and countywide participation that exceeded 35,000 this year.
Beyond books, Begalo emphasized partnerships. KCLS hosts a Hopelink mobile market twice monthly in Woodinville and operated summer meal service at Kingsgate this year (1,460 meals over 40 days). KCLS also provides meeting space for county office hours, and the libraries partner with volunteer statewide health‑insurance advisors during Medicare open enrollment.
Begalo said KCLS is expanding programs for teens and new civic engagement offerings, including a Civic Lift series with Citizen University fellows on Nov. 2. Council members thanked Begalo for the update and for the system’s work in Woodinville.
The presentation packet includes program flyers and staff said they will make event information available on their social channels and at the libraries.
