Moses Lake library reports nearly 60,000 visits last year; NCW commits $1.3M for 'reimagining spaces'

Supervising Librarian Austin Fogle and Operations Supervisor Connie Bone presented the Moses Lake branch annual report to the council, summarizing usage, safety and a capital reinvestment plan. The presenters reported nearly 60,000 visitor entries last year and almost 57,000 checkouts across books, DVDs and other items. Staff recorded 178 incidents and issued 28 trespass notices in the year cited; active cardholders in the district were listed at roughly 4,300 with about 1,500 new accounts created during the reporting year.

Connie Bone described safety and training responses to incidents and said that patrol partnerships and a jump from six to 15 security cameras in 2024 have helped staff manage incidents more effectively. "We take safety extremely seriously at our branch and have done an amazing amount of training for both us to learn how to do better," Bone said, noting de‑escalation and crisis prevention efforts.

Tim Ferman, president of the Moses Lake Public Library Foundation, outlined foundation work to modernize the building—originally dedicated in 1965 and described in remarks as a mid‑century modern structure needing updates. Staff highlighted that North Central Washington (NCW) Libraries has authorized $1.3 million toward the reimagining project for Moses Lake, intended for flooring, lighting and other interior upgrades; major electrical or plumbing work would require city cooperation because the city owns the building.

Council members asked about incident trends and enforcement. Staff provided comparative figures: 236 incidents in 2024, 178 in 2025, and a further decline noted so far in 2026. The library confirmed trespass notices fell from 45 in 2024 to 28 in 2025. Staff emphasized outreach programs—from preschool story time (Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m.) to senior‑center visits—and invited council support for the building assessment and future partnership on larger capital improvements.

Council discussion focused on the library’s role in community programming and the limits of NCW’s renovation funds versus the city’s ownership of the building. The library asked council to consider facilitating city cooperation when larger building projects (electrical, plumbing, expansion) require municipal approvals or investment.