Community Corner

Library Downloads A Hit In Pierce County

Every month, people are downloading thousands of eBooks, audiobooks and songs.

Apparently, library users in Gig Harbor and Key Peninsula and the rest of Pierce County are digging the downloads.

At its meeting this month, the Pierce County Library System’s Board of Trustees will learn how customers are downloading thousands of books and songs, aa qwll as the progress on the new Fife Pierce County Library. In addition, the board will discuss plans for the 2012 budget and other issues.

 Downloading books and songs is hot: Every month thousands of people are downloading ebooks, audiobooks or songs for free from Pierce County Library. At the meeting staff will share how people are downloading from the Library System, especially now that people can download e-books to their Kindles. Download use is off the charts, showing significant gains comparing September 2011 with September 2010.

Find out what's happening in Gig Harborwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

  • eBook checkouts: 14,667 (September 2011); 2,922 (September 2010) 402 percent increase.
  • Audiobook checkouts: 9,410 (September 2011); 7,099 (September 2010) 33 percent increase.
  • Song downloads: 6,302 (September 2011). Downloading songs is new this year. People can download three songs a week and they may keep them.

Fife Library: The Fife Library rolled into the City of Fife this month, with a total of 11 modular components arriving by semi trucks. Workers are putting the building together on the site of the new library at 6622 20th Street E. Outside the library is taking shape with sidewalks and curbs and a bicycle rack. Inside work is underway with finishing walls, floors and ceilings and installing book shelves. The full service library is scheduled to open in late fall of this year.

2012 Budget: The Library estimates a $1.9 million shortfall for its 2012 budget, primarily due to an estimated revenue reduction of 8 percent in property tax values. Nearly 97 percent of the Library’s budget comes from taxes on houses, buildings and land. The Library is projecting a $26,873.245 for 2012. It is committed to investing taxpayers’ money in operations and services that are of the most value to the public. The primary recommendations to close the budget gap include: 

Find out what's happening in Gig Harborwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

  • Salary freeze for managers.
  • Significantly reduced bookmobile services.
  • A reduction in the Library’s salaries planning budget to match a projected level of unfilled positions.
  • Eliminating five unfilled positions and reducing hours in one position.

The Board of Trustees will meet from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 19 at the Library’s Processing and Administrative Center, 3005 112th St. E.


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