Timberland Regional Library is going through some big changes in response to touch economic times and a failed library levy measure in February. With lower timber sales and a failing levy rate on property tax revenue, the Library is facing a rapidly diminishing budget that make these changes necessary to work within our available budget. Many of these changes are district wide and some are more local.

Examples of changes include:

• Hiring freeze
• Cuts in collection development monies
• Establishing a large shared collection (a book lives where it lands)
• No additional use of substitute employees
• Shortened open hours
• Possible new charges of overdue fines and computer printing
• Less funding for programs for all ages

What do these changes mean for the Lacey Library?

• Open hours are changing June 1. Lacey Library hours will change to Mondays and Tuesdays, 10 – 6; Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10 – 7; Fridays and Saturdays, 10 – 5.
• Staff schedules have changed to cover all open hours and to be able to not use substitutes. This could mean longer lines or a longer wait for holds to come in depending on vacations, illnesses, etc.
• We will need the financial support of the Friends more often.

There are other cost savings measures being implemented across the district to cut waste, conserve energy and more requests are being made of the Friends to maintain some library programs.

These changes will be new for the whole community. But these changes also allow us to begin thinking more creatively when it comes to services and programs. The staff will have more mini-(re)trainings, learn to work across departments and develop new, creative ways to serve our community. We will rework our program lineup so that there are still options and we don’t hamper regular library services.

What does this mean for the Friends of the Library?

Well, the Friends are an important part of our success. Working with the Friends and getting the financial support for projects when TRL funds are drying up will allow us to maintain a level of customer service and programs that our community needs. For example, to create a more tangible relationship between the Lacey Library, the Friends and the community, the Friends have approved the purchase of “giveaway” key chains, library card holders and reusable bags to persons getting their first library card with TRL. These items have the Friends of the Library name on them and create a link to the library when a patron goes home with their items.

Friends’ support also allows us to provide programming for those patrons, of all ages, who are looking for quality entertainment (and learning) at the right price – FREE! Movie afternoons, children’s performers, lectures and Wii Sports for Adults and Seniors are just a few examples of the programs we are offering with the support of the Friends.

These changes will also provide an opening for the Friends to increase membership through specialized projects, fundraising and being an advocate for the Library. When you are out in your community remember to let people know that we are still working hard to provide great customer service, reliable and quick information and fun and exciting programs.

Your enthusiasm, energy and willingness to support the Lacey Library are greatly appreciated.

Sad News: Thefts Force Closure of Friends’ Library Kiosk

For some years, Friends of the Lacey Library have managed a bookcase and kiosk inside the Lacey Library, where library patrons can purchase low-cost, good quality books for adults and children. These sales have accounted for about half of our annual budget. Over the last few months, the locked money box attached to the bookcase has been broken into a number of times. Nearly $1,000 has been stolen – some one-third of all proceeds during this time. This money could have supported the library services listed by Ms. Gomez-Benoz in her article. Because there is no cost-effective way to prevent these thefts, the Friends of the Lacey Library have closed the kiosk sales.

Bi-monthly book sales will continue

The Friends of the Lacey Library will continue the bi-monthly book sales on the first Saturday of even months: February, April, June, August, October and December. The Friday afternoon pre-sales for members of Friends only will also continue. Proceeds from these sales will be more important than ever in enabling us to provide support for Lacey Library programs. Thank you for your past support – and we’ll see you at the June sale!

Meet Selina Gomez-Beloz, our new Library Manager.

She received her masters degree at U. of Illinois. Her adult life has been spent in libraries. In 2002 she worked at the St. Martins College Library. She moved here when her husband became a Biology professor at St Martins. Their three children are 22, 19 and 12. Selina has worked for the Timberland Regional Library for six years. She was first a substitute Librarian in Centralia, then a Diversity Outreach Librarian for TLR, next Library Manager for the Tenino Library and Interim Library Manager at Shelton.

Her wish is that you will feel free to drop into her office at anytime. Her focus will be on our community and making everyone feel a part of the library

Kim Thompson’s son Ben was having trouble in school. He tried really hard, but he had trouble reading his assignments, and had no interest in improving his skills by reading for pleasure. Kim talked to the youth services librarian at the Lacey Timberland Library, and she was able to suggest books that sparked Ben’s interest in reading, starting at his current reading level, and slowly increasing in difficulty until Ben caught up with and even surpassed his class. A few minutes of reading carefully selected books each day helped Ben to be successful in school.

After forty years of offering these kinds of services to thousands of people in western Washington, Timberland Regional Library is asking for the first time for additional funding. Their levy rate has dropped from the 50c that the legislature provided to only 34.5c. On February 3, 2009, there will be a ballot measure asking to restore their rate to 50c. This will cost the average homeowner about $35.00 per year,

Which is about the cost of one non-fiction book, or one monthly magazine subscription.

But many people don’t know how valuable the library is to their community. In difficult financial times, they hesitate to vote to increase their taxes, even by that very small amount.

If the ballot measure doesn’t pass, the Library District will have to cut back on services. They will not be able to “interlibrary loan” books from outside the system. They will have to cut hours, decrease staff, cut back on programs for all ages, including story times and author visits. They will be able to buy fewer books, magazines, and DVDs. With fewer library staff, they will not be able to give the individual, personalized attention you have come to expect.

The library needs your help to get the word out. We need every Friend of the Library to talk to their friends and neighbors and relatives about the importance of the library and the need to pass the lid lift.

If you are willing to help by donating time, money, or ideas, please call Selina Gomez-Beloz at 264-7018 or Jodi Reng at 943-9292.
Your Library needs you now more than ever before. Please call.

Annette Grimes supervises the 13 library Pages and Aides. She says of the Aides and Pages “Their teamwork is phenomenon. They work so well together and are a joy to work with. They have to make sure that the books are shelved in an accurate and timely manner. On top of keeping up with the shelving they have several other tasks they have to accomplish. Some of the other tasks include processing newspapers, magazines, mail, and pulling items for the public to pick up, shelf reading and keeping the library neat and tidy”

There are nine Pages and four Aides. There are usually three to five of them working each shift. Most work 20 hours a week. Ryan Williams, Senior Circulation Supervisor, said “The Library would not be able to function without them”. Some of the Pages & Aides are college students or recent graduates and are using this job as a stepping stone toward a career. Others just love libraries and find the job rewarding.

You are a loyal member of the Friends, we know, but have you enlisted at least one other friend to join the Friends? You might suggest these reasons for joining…

1. When you stay home you get too many telemarketing calls.
2. Your family could use a break from you.
3. It’s hard to win a game of solitaire
4. Soap operas all sound alike
5. If you don’t go out each day, you get old.
6. Why let your boss (or your spouse) have all the fun in life.
7. The car needs a workout
8. Your mom (or your children) would be proud of you.
9. You’ll earn neat rewards.
10. Who cares about money?

As the Intellectual Freedom Manual (ALA, 7th edition) states: “Intellectual freedom can exist only where two essential conditions are met: first, that all individuals have the right to hold any belief on any subject and to convey their ideas in any form they deem appropriate; and second, that society makes an equal commitment to the right of unrestricted access to information and ideas regardless of the communication medium used, the content of the work, and the viewpoints of both the author and receiver of information. Freedom to express oneself through a chosen mode of communication, including the internet, becomes virtually meaningless if access to the information is not protected. Intellectual freedom implies a circle, and that circle is broken if either freedom of expression or access to ideas is stifled”.

For more information on Banned Books Week: Celebrating the Freedom to Read, contact the American Library Association/Office for intellectual Freedom at
1-800-545-2433 ext. 4220 or bbw@ala.org.

In some ways, this brief list oversimplifies all the things we can offer, but that is kind of the point…to provide a reminder of the basic but important services libraries offer at little or no cost.

So, without further adieu, here are nine ways libraries can help you get through our country’s economic slowdown:

1. Try it before you buy it. Money is tight. Don’t buy a CD, DVD, or book without “test-driving” it first. Come to the library and borrow it to see if it’s a purchase that is right for you. If we don’t have it, we’ll try our hardest to get it for you.
2. Two words: FREE INTERNET.
3. Bolster your business. We have access to databases and research tools that will help you reach new and different markets, even during tough times.
4. Get the skills you need. Libraries offer classes on a variety of topics. Pick up your library newsletter or visit their website. You’ll quickly find you can learn new things ranging from basic computer skills to knitting to how to start a business.
5. Find entertainment. Libraries offer classes, events and activities for children and adults, almost always at no cost. A fun night out doesn’t need to be an expensive night out.
6. Hold meetings that get results. Libraries often offer low-cost or no-cost meeting spaces. Whether your a school group trying to develop a fundraiser or a CEO trying to launch a business, stop in to see if you can hold your meeting at the library.
7. Be a well-informed investor. The library has up-to-date stock market information that will help you get through tough times. Make smarter investment decisions with the most current financial information.
8. Find a new job, a better job, or a different job. Use computers, books, newspapers, and more to find a employment and build resumes and cover letters.
9. Regain a sense of community. Feeling a bit disconnected during tough times? Libraries are places where communities come together. Stop in and take a moment to take in the action… you’ll find it abuzz with information, people, and possibilities!

(Printed by permission from Christine Ayer who is currently library director at the Adam Cardinal Maida
Alumni Library in Orchard Lake, Michigan. This article was published in ilovelibraries.org in 2007.)

Friends of the Lacey Timberland Library officers:
President & Newsletter Dee Corwin 413-5799
Vice President George Hutton, Secretary Jim Pedrick
Treasurer Jose Tripp, Membership Sylvia Cleaves 491-9453

• March 7, 11am-noon, Celebrate Seuss with Christopher Leebrick.
• March 27, 2-3pm Reading magic with Jeff Evans, a magician.
• April 12, 2-4pm Happy birthday, Beverly Cleary. Read a Ramona or Henry book aloud together, enjoy activities, sign a giant birthday card and have some cake.