Fife residents want library services, survey shows

By Meghan Erkkinen

Fife Free Press
merkkinen@tacomaweekly.com
Published on: September 11, 2008

A survey of Fife residents shows that a library within the city limits is something that interests a lot of community residents. The Fife City Council decided to set a public information session to better explain the costs and benefits associated with a library, followed by a public hearing for residents to share their questions or comments.

A total of 281 surveys were returned to the city of Fife over the last couple of months, out of 3,880 surveys that were mailed out to residents of the 98424 zip code. The survey asked residents about their interest in a library, what they would use it for, and whether they would be willing to pay for it.

More than 82 percent of residents felt that library services were either somewhat important or very important, rating the importance between 6 and 10 on a scale of 1 to 10. But only 25 percent of respondents felt the city was doing a somewhat adequate or adequate job at meeting the community’s needs for library service.

When asked what they would like to see in a library, the most popular answer was programs for children, homework help and assistance finding information. The returned surveys also indicated that residents felt libraries were rich in information and a resource for life-long learning.

The question was also posed to residents as to what type of library services they would support. About 66 percent said they would be in support of a Pierce County Library System (PCLS) branch in Fife, while 35 percent said they would prefer the city continue its reimbursement program for the Tacoma and Puyallup public libraries.

Annexing into the PCLS would mean taking on the additional property taxes charged by the district, but about 62 percent of respondents said the 43-cent-per-$1,000 in assessed value would be a cost they would be willing to bear for library services.

Residents also had the opportunity to provide written comments about the subject of library services, and almost half of respondents chose to do so. The comments ranged from concerns over higher taxes to disgust that the city has not already provided citizens with a library.

The city council, while fully in support of moving ahead with a public hearing, was cautious about what the results meant.

“It seems that we have some support,” said Council-member Nancy de Booy. “I don’t know how much support.”

Councilmember Butch Brooks, while saying he would like to see a library in town, said he is not sure now is the right time.

“I’m concerned as to whether the support is there,” he said. “For those that really want a library, I need some convincing.”

Councilmember Dick Godwin also reiterated previous concerns that Fife may not be getting enough bang for its buck from the PCLS in its proposal for a branch in the city.

Over the past several months, the city has been working with PCLS to develop what a library branch within Fife would look like. Through the branch, residents would have access to resources from PCLS branches around Pierce County, but they would also be subject to the added property tax. Currently, the city offers a reimbursement program for residents who get Tacoma or Puyallup library cards. About 80 households in Fife take advantage of the program.

Survey Results

The city of Fife mailed a survey out to residents July 19 to gauge their feelings on a library in the city. A total of 281 surveys – deemed statistically valid by the city – were completed and returned. Here’s a sample of what respondents said:

-    54.5 percent of residents ranked the importance of

    library services a 10 on a scale of 1 to 10.

-    The top three reasons respondents listed for why

    library services were important to them and their

    families were:

    • I like to read

    • Libraries are rich in information and entertainment

    • Libraries are a resource for life-long learning

- The top three services respondents said they would

    want in a public library were:

    • Programs for children (65.9 percent)

    • Homework help for kids (56.1 percent)

    • Help finding information and answering questions

       (52.8 percent)

-    65.7 percent of respondents said they’d want to see

    a Pierce County library branch in Fife; 34.7 percent

    said they would like to continue the reimbursement

    the city offers for cards from the Tacoma and Puyallup

    libraries.

-    61.5 percent of respondents would be in support of

    paying a $0.43 per $1,000 property tax for Pierce

    County Library services.

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