February 24, 2008

TRL to seek public input on budget cuts

Timberland Regional Library’s Board of Trustees met in a special board meeting Thursday evening at the TRL Administrative Service Center in Tumwater to determine how public input should be gathered regarding reductions in spending and revenue options to meet an expected $2.5 million shortfall in the library system’s 2010 budget.

TRL will hold town meetings in the month of March in each of the five counties that have Timberland libraries. The meetings will provide the public an opportunity to understand the financial challenges facing the library district, learn what various programs, initiatives and services cost and participate in a facilitated discussion. In addition to town meetings, patrons in the month of March will be able to provide comments and suggestions via an online survey at www.TRL.org, by suggestion forms in all library branches or by email to comments@trlib.org.

Public input will be gathered and provided to TRL task forces focused on reviewing ideas for reducing expenses and increasing revenues. Recommendations will be delivered to the TRL Board of Trustees in the April or May 2009 board meetings, with decisions on budget cuts made by the June Board Meeting, which will be held at the Ilwaco Timberland Library.

The following town meetings have been confirmed and the public is invited to attend. Additional town meetings will be announced when confirmed.

Monday, March 9 – 6:30 p.m. Olympia Timberland Library
Tuesday, March 10 – 6:30 p.m. Mountain View (Randle) Timberland Library
Thursday, March 12 – 6:30 p.m. Vernetta Smith Chehalis Timberland Library
Monday, March 16 – 6:30 p.m. Ocean Park Timberland Library
Tuesday, March 17 – 4:00 p.m. Lacey Timberland Library
Wednesday, March 18 – 7:00 p.m. Montesano Timberland Library (W.H. Abel Memorial Library)
Thursday, March 19 – 7:00 p.m. Aberdeen Timberland Library
Wednesday, March 25 – 4:00 p.m. Shelton Timberland Library (Wm. G. Reed Library)
Thursday, March 26 – 6:30 p.m. South Bend Timberland Library

Timberland Regional Library serves the information, reading and lifelong learning needs of the Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, and Thurston county public at 27 community libraries. The library system is funded by local property taxes. Anyone needing special accommodations to participate in a library program may contact the library a week in advance.

Revised 03/11/09