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Library director touts rising visits and a mobile makerspace as Pasco Plays chapter returns
Summary
The Pasco Plays chapter adds a libraries objective and five supporting policies; library director Sean McGarvey told the commission visits exceeded 733,000 last year and described a mobile makerspace and partnership approach to siting new branches and services.
Staff returned the Pasco Plays (recreation and open space) chapter with a new objective and five supporting policies that, among other items, establish the county library master plan as the guiding document for library services and call for attention to underserved areas.
Sean McGarvey, the library director, briefed the commission on library activity and services. "I'm happy to report that our attendance numbers are actually going up," McGarvey said, adding that the system recorded more than 733,000 visits last year. He described a range of amenities added in recent branches — wood and clay studios, an audio‑visual recording studio, discovery gardens — and said libraries function as community "third spaces."
McGarvey also described a "mobile makerspace," a modernized bookmobile that brings a compact makerspace plus books and programming to schools, healthcare settings and neighborhoods. "It's kind of a newer spin on an old technique," he said, adding staff have used it for outreach to seniors, schools and daycares.
During public comment, Nancy Hayes asked whether the Trilby/LeCanto area is on the master plan; McGarvey said it is not currently but offered to discuss satellite or mobile options with her after the meeting. Staff said the Pasco Plays chapter encourages public‑private partnerships and pursuing grants and donations to expand library services; staff will incorporate commissioner feedback and return revised language for adoption.
