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Library trustee: Pacific County leads regional rise in physical book checkouts
Summary
Tony Gwynn, Timberland Regional Library board representative for Pacific County, told commissioners that Pacific County led the TRL system in 2024 increases in physical checkouts (about 4% growth), reported increased digital checkouts and expanded ‘Anywhere Library’ use, and highlighted facility refreshes and outreach programs.
Tony Gwynn, the Timberland Regional Library (TRL) board representative for Pacific County, told the Board of County Commissioners on April 22 that local libraries logged notable usage gains in 2024.
"Pacific County actually leads the way in increases of physical book checkouts," Gwynn said, reporting roughly a 4% rise in physical circulation and 131,473 electronic checkouts systemwide (a 13% increase). He also said TRL counted 10,741 active patrons in the county and that Anywhere Library kiosks and vans expanded access in remote communities.
Gwynn described recent and planned capital work at branch sites — Mountain View opened under budget and early this year, Tumwater is undergoing a refresh, and Ocean Park has seen a major rise in program attendance. He credited staff outreach for increases in digital-checkout use among older patrons and noted the system’s fifth consecutive clean financial and accountability audit.
Michelle (library staff), who joined the presentation, said expanded-access sites have seen strong story-time attendance and that staff are intentionally staffing around programs in locations with limited on-site hours. Commissioners asked about Naselle’s transition to key-card access; staff said the model remains under review and that periodic staffed hours supplement the key-card system while usage rebounds.
The trustees urged continued coordination with community partners, noting Anywhere Library visits to senior centers, food banks and schools. Gwynn closed by inviting commissioners to visit refreshed facilities and by offering follow-up contact if they had additional questions.
