Library plans move forward

The Pierce County Library System’s Board of Trustees unanimously voted to concur with the city of Fife’s library annexation request on June 10. That means residents could get to vote on a new library this November.

“The next step is a review by the (Pierce) county council,” said Georgia Lomax, deputy director of Pierce County Library System (PCLS).

Lomax said the system’s administrative offices receive many phone calls from people who do not quite understand the jurisdictions of libraries, but want to use the facilities.

“It’s hard to say how much of the population actually wants the library though,” Lomax added.

On May 26, the Fife City Council voted unanimously to place the annexation issue on the ballot. Members of the board were excited to see the planning moving forward.

“The vote on my ballot will say, ‘bargain,’” said board member J.J. McCament.

Neel Parikh, director of PCLS, said this decision has been a long time coming. Parikh said PCLS has been working hard with city officials to negotiate the best possible facility for residents.

 “I think the kinds of promises we made to the city of Fife are do-able,” Parikh said.

City officials were not surprised with the decision. City Manager Steve Worthington said the city has been working closely with the library Board of Trustees to adopt an agreement about how a library could function in the city. A possible facility would be at least 6,500 square feet and would be south of Interstate 5, he explained. Worthington said the city must now wait for the Pierce County Council decision on whether or not the issue goes on the November ballot.

“Time will tell if this is something Fife residents want,” Worthington said.

Worthington noted that city officials are interested in helping to organize a public debate for and against the issue. Interested residents should call Fife City Hall at (253) 922-2489 for more information.

Currently, many Fife residents utilize the Milton Library. The PCLS Board of Trustees discussed growth projections for the library, with regards to the system’s 20-year, 2030 master plan. The plan outlines specific projects, which will determine what library services and buildings are needed for the future. Projections in the 2030 plan estimate the population for Milton, Edgewood, and Browns Point to be upwards of 26,000. The library’s current facilities serve a community of approximately 12,046 residents.  

With current future projections, the board estimates any expansion of the Milton Library would have to accommodate a collection of between 46,000 and 54,000 items, 70-85 more seats, 45-55 more computer terminals, and five or six study rooms with 30-40 seats.

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