25 libraries to cut back hours

Timberland Regional Library will reduce library hours starting June 1 as it looks to cut costs quickly to put itself in a better financial situation next year.

The new hours affect 25 of the district’s 27 libraries in its five-county service area, including all branches in Thurston County.

The district’s board of trustees also directed staff members at its meeting Wednesday night to develop policies to charge fines for overdue books and fees for computer printouts. The fines or fees could be enacted this year or next year.

After the defeat of a tax measure in February, the district asked patrons for suggestions to cut costs, raise revenue and determine which services and programs are the most important.

Jeff Kleingartner, a district spokesman, said the district faces a projected shortfall of $2.5 million next year, and any money it can save now will help in the long run.

“We’re trying to act quickly now so our situation is brighter next year,” he said.

The district’s two main revenue sources are property taxes, which voters refused to raise two months ago, and timber receipts, which continue to decline. Costs continue to increase, and district officials say more people are using the library for job-hunting or recreation during the recession.

With fewer hours, most managers no longer will need to use substitutes or overtime to cover vacations, illnesses and emergencies. The district expects to save $600,000 a year as a result, Kleingartner said.

Gail Park, manager of Tumwater Regional Library, said branch managers established the new hours based on the needs of their patrons while staying within parameters set by the district. For instance, Park decided to have Tumwater’s library open earlier Monday through Thursday, while Olympia library officials opted to stay open later on those days.

Park said her branch gets a lot of business from state workers and schoolchildren during the day.

“By 5 p.m., it is really dead because the schools have all gone home and the state workers have all gone home,” she said.

Park said she and her peers in Olympia and Lacey struck an agreement so at least one library in the urban area will be open later during the week.

All but the district’s six largest libraries will be closed Mondays starting June 1 so the district can hold training sessions and meetings without using substitutes. All branches have been closed on Sundays.

The district will not reduce hours at two libraries, Amanda Park and Oakville Timberland, after officials concluded that those branches already were operating at the minimum allowed number of hours: 24 a week.

“We’re really sorry for the inconvenience it’s going to cause for some people’s schedules, but it’s a necessary move,” Kleingartner said.

Christian Hill is a reporter for The Olympian and can be reached at 360-754-5427 or chill@theolympian.com.

New library hours

Reduced library hours will begin for all Timberland Regional libraries in Thurston County starting June 1. All libraries in the district are closed Sundays.

Lacey Library

Current hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday

New hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Tuesday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday-Saturday

Olympia Library

Current hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Tuesday; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday

New hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Tuesday; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday-Saturday

Tumwater Library

Current hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday

New hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Tuesday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday-Saturday

Yelm Library

Current hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday-Saturday

New hours: Closed Monday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday-Saturday

Tenino library

Current hours: Closed Monday; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday

New hours: Closed Monday; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday-Friday; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday