Timberland Library announces reductions in staff, programs in wake of budget woes
The Timberland Regional Library network announced this week that it will soon be planning for staff reductions, a smaller budget and reduced programming. The changes are in response to an immediate funding shortfall caused by rising costs, not enough annual revenue growth and a decreasing levy rate, according to a news release from TRL.
According to the Jan. 28 news release, the budget shortfall was identified in its beginning fund balance for 2026, which must start each year at 30% of estimated revenues.
“Since 2016, TRL has openly discussed long-term financial challenges and imminent revenue shortfalls,” according to the release. “The timing and extent of this shows that expenditures are now outpacing revenues beyond what can be addressed through incremental adjustments.”
The regional library network is funded mostly through local property taxes as a special purpose taxing district. As of 2026, levy funds made up 93.7% of TRL’s budget.
“Like many public agencies, we are facing the reality that costs are increasing faster than revenues,” Executive Director Cheryl Heywood said in the release. “We have taken steps over several years to adapt through organizational changes and new technologies, but we have reached a point where more significant actions are necessary to ensure long-term sustainability.”
According to the release, about $1.8 million will be reduced from the collections budget, which will result in fewer new materials being purchased. There will also be fewer programs because there’s less money to pay performers and presenters.
TRL has also begun planning for reductions in staffing, which will take place May 1, according to the release.
Free printing will be capped at $20 per month starting March 1. And there will be fewer non-essential purchases, limits on employee traveling for conferences and training, and an immediate hiring freeze.
“We know this news is difficult, and we do not take these decisions lightly,” Heywood said in the release. “Our commitment is to continue serving our communities as fully as possible while being responsible stewards of public resources.”
TRL spokesperson Anna Lisa Rasmussen told The Olympian on Friday that the administration is still drafting plans related to staffing reductions and exploring options to “limit the number of impacted staff as much as possible within budget constraints.”
She said they anticipate reductions to affect a limited number of positions, but she was unable to share which positions and libraries would be affected. There are 29 libraries across five counties in TRL’s network.
“Our priority is to minimize impacts on library services for patrons and communities,” she said. “We are carefully evaluating options with the goal of maintaining core services and access across the district.”
Rasmussen encouraged people to attend the TRL Board of Trustees special meeting on Feb. 10 to learn more details about the reductions.
Editor’s note: This article has been updated with comments from TRL spokesperson Anna Lisa Rasmussen.
This story was originally published January 30, 2026 at 12:09 PM.
.jpg)