Thursday, October 1, 2026
A multimillion-dollar budget deficit has Timberland Regional Library in the throes of cost-cutting decisions, as it aims to get its financial house in order.
One of those decisions was addressed at a meeting of the Timberland Regional Library Board of Trustees on Wednesday, Feb. 25, when the group unanimously agreed to move forward with a workforce reduction plan.
While it’s unclear how many people are going to lose their jobs, the impact is likely to be felt throughout the five counties the organization serves via the 29 libraries it operates.
That was made clear by a number of individuals during the public comment section of the Zoom meeting prior to the vote on the plan.
Residents took turns, often getting cut off at the three-minute time limit mark, expressing their disdain at the way in which the financial conundrum is being handled.
“It’s within your power. It’s within your authority to choose,” said Kenny Farver, a Thurston County resident who works for a local transit agency, to the trustees at the meeting that lasted more than three hours.
“Are you gonna go home at night with a healthy conscience realizing you just laid off dozens of committee members, friends — people who do an important job every day. … There has to be another way to do this.”
Farver was one of dozens of people who spoke out against layoffs as a means to help fix a problem brought on by the organization failing to meet a key fiscal responsibility policy.
That policy calls for the Thurston Regional Library (TRL) to have 30 percent of expected revenues in a fiscal year budget’s beginning general fund balance, something that did not happen at the start of 2026 largely because expenses exceeded revenues from property taxes. As a result, the organization is facing a $3.5 million deficit that it must close.
“If the TRL falls below that (30 percent threshold) we need a plan to make up the entire budget shortfall and that’s what we’re doing now,” said Board of Trustees President Brian Mittge in opening remarks at the meeting.
“The plan means cost cutting across the board. Buying fewer books, freezing all new hires, stopping all crucial purchases and laying off staff.”
He added, “We know these are real people, colleagues, neighbors and friends. It’s hard to do this, but TRL has to be fiscally responsible to the 500,000 patrons of our five counties (Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific and Thurston).”
Akasha Atherton, a Thurston County resident who frequents the downtown Olympia library branch, talked about the possibility of staffers not being able to assist patrons.
She recounted a story about picking up a book on hold that had been on a wait list. Atherton said when she went to pick up the book, the electronic system used to check out the book was not functioning properly.
She expressed concern about not being able to get the book had a library staffer not been there to help out.
“I shudder to think what that would be like if there was no staff member there at all,” said Atherton to the trustees at the meeting.
Olympia resident Caleb Gieger also spoke of the resources that libraries provide to patrons.
“I’ve had multiple cases where a person’s only access to email was at the library. … The only way they could write their brief and submit it to the court was at the library,” said Gieger, an attorney, to the trustees at the meeting.
“So, I know the folks who rely on resources at the library also need assistance that comes with those resources. … In short, less library staff means less access to justice for the most vulnerable members of our community.”
The public comment period also drew remarks from two local elected officials, Olympia City Councilman Robert Vanderpool and Thurston County Commissioner Emily Clouse.
Each of the officials pointed toward multimillion-dollar budget deficits within their jurisdictions and the ways in which the problems were addressed.
Vanderpool spoke about taxes, how the city had to shuffle around things and not hire people for a while. He also said the city council sought options from the city manager to deal with the deficit.
“There’s multiple paths to go down when you’re going through this, right? … Staff layoffs are the last option and we asked for options in order to ensure the public knows we are doing this the right way,” said Vanderpool to the trustees at the meeting.
Clouse said in an effort to pare down the county’s budget deficit, commissioners looked “under every rock” to close the gap.
“We looked at what it might look like to cut executive level staff and we recommended to our salary commission that they give no raises to any elected officials in Thurston County. And they agreed with the recommendation,” said Clouse to the trustees at the meeting.
She also expressed support for the library staff union (AFSCME) and its representatives, while calling for an independent investigation into TRL finances.
As it stands, union representatives and negotiators from Timberland Regional Library were scheduled to meet on Thursday, Feb. 26, said TRL Executive Director Cheryl Heywood near the end of the meeting on Wednesday.
“We have been working closely with our union and closely with our board on impact bargaining. But at this point it still remains confidential, so we can’t get into specifics,” said Heywood to the trustees at the meeting. “But we have kept the board apprised and the board has given us direction.”
With that said, the board then moved to adopt a motion related to a reduction in workforce.
“I just want to reiterate the difficulty of this decision,” said Trustee and President-elect Dustin Loup, who represents Grays Harbor County, before the vote. “There’s still discussion to be had; there’s still impact bargaining. We’re doing everything we can to reach the least harmful outcome of this.”
Editor's note: This story has been updated.
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cappers
Can the book sales that are currently only open to Friends of the library members, be open to EVERYONE?
That would create more revenue. And how about holding the book sales more often as well?
Thursday, February 26 Report this
johnvaneenwyk
One challenge that libraries across the country are having trouble meeting budgets is the explosion in the use of digital formats of books (especially Kindle, Nook, etc) . It used to be that libraries could purchase a book and then own it for as long as it held together. Today, libraries have to purchase the right to use a digital format of a book. It costs a fortune and is not permanent. It has to be renewed. Sound familiar? Those who own—and then rent out—the digital formats are raking in the money while libraries—and taxpayers—foot the bill.
Friday, February 27 Report this
vloveland
I was at this meeting. I am very disappointed that they did not mention that to administrators in the library system have given themselves raises while announcing the layoff of staff. Cheryl Heywood has also purchased surveillance software from Amazon that tracks every movement the library workers do. It’s basically cyber bullying. The more the library worker works with the actual patrons the more they are censored by the software for not being in front of the screen. They have elected to pay for expensive electronic key cards so that people can come into a computer run library. There’s no attempt to talk about fundraising or any other option but to layoff workers.
The board and administration seems to have decided it will lay people off No matter who gets hurt or what it costs our community. Community is everything right now at the library is a very important part of that.
The administration kept giving conflicting statements about how they have known that this was coming for a long time and then turning around and saying that they just found out. These bad face actors need to be replaced
Friday, February 27 Report this
OlyBlues
It would be nice for the JOLT to publish the salaries of library employees so the public can see what personnel expenses are. TRL admin and the board of trustees are being responsible stewards of tax dollars. While no one wants to see anyone laid off, when you have library staff characterizing a situation of a patron not being able to access a book as a real emergency, what else is being overstated? This was totally over the top.
"She expressed concern about not being able to get the book had a library staffer not been there to help out. I shudder to think what that would be like if there was no staff member there at all,” said Atherton to the trustees at the meeting."
The library like everyone else must live within their means. If that means they must reign in spending to balance the budget that is exactly what taxpayers expect. Funny to see Commissioner Clouse who cost the county $350K from a personal lawsuit from her illegal workplace behavior telling the TRL board how to save money using examples she provided. You can't make this stuff up.
Friday, February 27 Report this
olyhiker
I can only speak for the Lacey Library as that's where I go. The parking lot is usually full or nearly so. And book sales are open to all. That is one place I'm happy to have my tax dollars go. I would like to see the salaries, though.
Friday, February 27 Report this
CommonSenseSenior
Instead of complete layoffs in this current economic condition which is hard on everyone, why not an 'extra unpaid day off' or the library close one day a week completely, no one earning pay that day and saving electricity. I also would like to see salaries. I truly doubt each of the 'heads of the library' adheres to their work hours...maybe wanders in late all the time, leaves early? Says they're 'heading out to a meeting?' Cut back THEIR hours or a day a week at their higher salary. Maybe cut back all 'heads of the library and lay only them off...2nd in command is usually better with day to day stuff anyway since they don't come in late or leave early:)
Friday, February 27 Report this
HappyOlympian
9 million for bike lanes on Capitol Way but cannot properly fund libraries in a 5 county region. We rock!
Friday, February 27 Report this
pharper65
The Friends of the Olympia Library Book Store in the center of the Olympia Library and the back corner of the West Olympia Library are open to everyone any time the library is open. Great bargains on books and media.
A special of sale of books donated by Stephanie Coontz, Professor emeritus at TESC and large collection of Library of America slip cased classics in new condition will happen tomorrow, Saturday, February 28th from 11-4 in the Olympia Library Meeting Room. Also in the sale is a collection of about 25-30 LP records. Mostly Jazz. And some old Bibles.
This sale is open to everyone. Payment in cash, checks or online with QR code.
At the Olympia Library, 313 8th Ave SE, Olympia, WA 98501
Friday, February 27 Report this
jimlazar
The challenge for TRL is that they live ONLY on property tax. Since Initiative 747 was passed, property taxes do not keep up with inflation. 1% increase per year is all that is allowed, with inflation running from 3% to 8% over the past ten years.
TRL is in a particularly odd position, because to get a property tax increase approved, it would have to go before voters in all five counties at the same time. There is no citizen group organized to support TRL regionwide that compares with the school boosters who work on local levy elections.
The solution for TRL, as it is for the cities, the County, and the schools, is to amend I-747 to allow property taxes to rise with inflation.
Oh -- and HappyOlympian: Nearly all of the $9 million is to repave Capitol Way. Only a small portion pays for putting the stripes down in different places than they are now to create bike lanes. Those bike lanes have been in the City plans since 1997 -- it's about time they get them done. 29 years is a long time to wait.
Friday, February 27 Report this
franiazgorski
When leadership chooses layoffs over collaboration, transparency, or creativity, they’re not just cutting positions — they’re cutting relationships, safety nets, and public trust.
And when they add surveillance tools that punish staff for helping patrons instead of staring at a screen, that’s not “efficiency.” That’s hostile management culture.
Friday, February 27 Report this
franiazgorski
In a real budget crisis, every option should be on the table — not just laying off the people who serve our community every day. TRL could implement temporary unpaid furlough days, reduce hours system‑wide, or close one day a week to save payroll and utilities. These are standard tools used by public agencies during downturns.
Instead, leadership has chosen to protect executive salaries, invest in surveillance software, and expand costly tech systems — all while insisting layoffs are the “only option.” That doesn’t reflect shared sacrifice. It reflects a choice to shield the top and cut the people who actually keep our libraries running.
If TRL is truly in crisis, then administrators should be the first to model accountability: transparent salaries, transparent work hours, and a willingness to take the same reductions they’re demanding from everyone else.
Communities deserve leadership that explores solutions, not just cuts, and a board that asks hard questions instead of rubber‑stamping decisions that harm staff and weaken our libraries.
Friday, February 27 Report this