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Timberland Regional Library in Yelm
Posted Under: Yelm Issues
TRL, city looking at library options
Whether Timberland Regional Library’s levy lid lift passes or fails in February, it won’t affect the search for a new home for the Yelm library.
Posted Nov 21, 2008.
By Megan Hansen
Nisqually Valley News
Whether Timberland Regional Library’s levy lid lift passes or fails in February, it won’t affect the search for a new home for the Yelm library.
“(The levy) shouldn’t have any impact on it,” said Michael Crose, manager of administrative services for TRL. “They are completely separate.”
Timberland is working with the City of Yelm to formulate options for the library when its lease at Prairie Park ends in 2012.
“We’re looking at all possibilities,” Crose said. “We have to make a decision in the next two years.”
Options include moving to another location in Yelm or staying in the current space and signing a new lease.
The library, however, received a cost break during its current 10-year lease.
After the lease ends in 2012, the cost at Prairie Park would go up, Crose said.
During the lease, Timberland and the city agreed to share the cost of the lease. That agreement ends the same time as the lease, and the city will take on all the leasing costs.
Building a new library is not an option, said Mayor Ron Harding.
As the end of the lease draws near, Harding said the city’s options will be released to the public.
Crose said the current location is great, but cost will be a concern.
“One thing I’m sure of is that TRL will continue service in one way or another in Yelm,” he said.
Because of inflation, and the fact that the library levy rates dropped from 50 cents to 34.5 cents per $1,000 of assessed property valuation this year, Timberland is drawing on its reserves to maintain the current level of library services.
At the current rate, the reserve fund will drop below acceptable levels by the end of 2009, Crose said.
To reduce costs, Timberland is not filling four positions, implemented a hiring freeze, eliminated Sunday hours, reduced purchasing budgets and cut employees’ benefit hours, Crose said.
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