TRL announces revised library hours starting in May

A total of 17 Timberland Regional Library branches will soon operate under revised operating hours, including locations in Hawks Prairie, Tenino and West Olympia.

The library branches will begin transitioning to new operating hours beginning in the second week of May with all scheduling changes in place by May 19.

“Of Timberland’s 29 libraries, 12 will continue to maintain their current staffed open hours while 13 will reduce open staffed hours by (one) to (eight) hours per week,” said the regional library system in an announcement on Monday, April 27. 

“The remaining four libraries — Hawks Prairie, Hoodsport, North Mason (Belfair) and Shelton — will implement reductions of between 10 and 16 hours per week.”

The Hawks Prairie branch will be open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The changes take effect on May 11.

The Tenino branch will be open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., but closed on Saturday. The changes take effect on May 18.

The West Olympia branch will be open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., but closed on Sunday. The changes take effect on May 17.

The revised operating schedule was released less than two weeks after the financially troubled regional library system announced it had reached an agreement with AFSCME Local 3758 (union) leadership to limit layoffs.

“Under the agreement, most previously announced involuntary layoffs will be rescinded. The original layoff plan impacted 61 employees, including 17 voluntary layoffs. Of the remaining 44 involuntary layoffs, 36 have now been rescinded, resulting in a total of 25 affected staff,” said the regional library system in an announcement on April 16.

“Involuntary layoffs will proceed only in limited cases, including employees in probationary or trial service status and those with certain levels of documented discipline. Voluntary layoffs will continue as planned.” 

The regional library system is also in the midst of a search for interim executive director following the resignation of former executive director Cheryl Heywood, whose resignation was accepted at a business meeting on March 25.

Heywood resigned in the midst of a budget crisis that is reshaping the organization, which serves Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific and Thurston counties through 29 libraries, mobile service and online resources.

The financial woes stem from the regional library system failing to meet fiscal policy.

That fiscal policy calls for the Timberland 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 gleaned from property taxes. As a result, the organization is facing a $3.5 million deficit that it must close.

The regional library disclosed the budget problems earlier this year. That led to organizational changes and operational adjustments.

While most involuntary layoffs are on pause, the regional library system still faces underlying financial challenges, something a levy lid lift could help fix down the line if approved by voters.

The TRL Board of Trustees has expressed an interest in pursuing a levy lid lift as soon as fall 2026. TRL last pursued a levy lid lift in February 2009, but the measure was not successful.