Library

Library savings cost community connection

Posted by Lincoln on

OPINION – Marianne Lincoln

The Pierce County Library system changed its hours. Ostensibly, this was to save the system money. What is may be costing to communities is harder to calculate, but may be significant.

The local library is one of the few places left where small community groups could meet without cost. The meeting rooms had restriction, but for small startup groups and non-profits, they are, or were, an irreplaceable resource for community gathering,

Now that the library hours have shifted and they are only open until 6 p.m. or 7 p.m. on a few nights, that does not give people time to get home from work and attend a meeting. The 6 to 9 p.m. hours are now a large void. The rooms still exist, but they have gone dark. The groups that used to meet have been left scrambling for places to go. Few restaurants fill that void anymore either.

Yes, I am familiar with one in such a position right at this time. Although we cut back the general meetings in trade for events, we still need board meetings. Those board meetings must take place after average work hours. Zoom may be popular and a possibility, but Zoom doesn’t get people really face to face to negotiate details as boards sometimes need.

It is understood that the library, being a public facility, needs to adhere to a budget. We all feel it when taxes get higher and it is harder to put food on our plates. But the impact on communities, especially in these unincorporated areas, is not an easy thing to measure. We need places to meet. We need those places to be affordable. We needed something we just lost, and the Library Board of Trustees needs to know that. If you also have an affected group, please let them know.

Contact the Board

The Board welcomes comments and suggestions. You can contact the Board by completing this form, at 253-548-3420 or by mail:

Board of Trustees
Pierce County Library System
3005 112th Street E
Tacoma, WA 98446

Hours changed January 18

Graham, 9202 224th St. E., Graham, WA 98338, Hours of Operation

Monday10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Tuesday11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Wednesday10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Thursday11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Friday10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Parkland-Spanaway, 13718 Pacific Ave. S., Tacoma, WA 98444, Hours of Operation

Monday10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Tuesday10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Wednesday10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Thursday10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Friday10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

South Hill, 15420 Meridian E., South Hill, WA 98375, Hours of Operation

Monday10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Tuesday10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Wednesday10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Thursday10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Friday10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Summit, 5107 112th St. E., Tacoma, WA 98446, Hours of Operation

Monday10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Tuesday11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Wednesday10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Thursday11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Friday10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

For more branches, please look online at https://mypcls.org/visit-the-library/locations-hours/#toggle-id-9-closed

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