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Milwaukie library reports rising usage, summer programs and need for staff mental‑health training
Summary
Library staff told the City Council that door counts, circulations and outreach visits are up year‑over‑year; the library will serve as a cooling center and run summer reading and free lunch programs and requested more behavioral‑health training for frontline staff.
Library managers reported that visits, circulation and outreach have increased and that staff increasingly field behavioral‑health interactions and need training and protocols for public‑facing encounters.
Library staff said a typical outreach Tuesday saw 913 visitors, nearly 2,000 circulations processed and multiple public programs; summer is the busiest season and the library will again serve as a cooling center and deliver free lunches for children starting June 29. Staff asked council to support more targeted training in de‑escalation and mental‑health awareness for frontline employees.
Managers described partnerships that help meet patrons’ needs — including food programs, volunteers and connection to behavioral‑health outreach teams — and said staff value consistency and trust as key assets in serving people experiencing homelessness. No new funding decisions were made at this meeting; staff will follow up with training options and program details.
