Pierce County Libraries reports steady use at Milton-Edgewood branch; highlights programs and partnerships

Gretchen Caserotti, executive director of Pierce County Libraries, and Chad Harper, operations supervisor at the Milton-Edgewood branch, briefed the council on system funding, local-branch activity and community programming.

Caserotti said the district is "about 97, 98% funded completely by property taxes" and described constraints from Washington's 1% property-tax cap. She noted personnel costs represent roughly two-thirds of the system budget and that the library has increased transparency by publishing budget briefs via ClearGov. At the branch level, Harper reported the Milton-Edgewood facility logged more than 60,000 visits and nearly 83,000 checkouts in the prior year; the branch has 11,677 cardholders and held 48 programs with approximately 500 attendees.

Councilmembers asked questions about teen programming and event turnout. Speakers highlighted partnerships with Friends groups and the Pierce County Library Foundation to support book giveaways and local programs. Caserotti and Harper said the library is exploring strategic partnerships — including social work supports and peer navigators in branches — and will return with further details as plans evolve.