10-year plan looks at ‘big picture’ for Sno-Isle libraries

MARYSVILLE — Some local libraries could get new buildings or major overhauls in the next decade.

Sno-Isle Libraries officials aim to round up suggestions, observations and concerns from library patrons this fall and come up with a plan by March.

The document is needed to help the library district handle population growth, fix outdated buildings and adjust to shifting demands on the types of services libraries provide over the next decade.

Sno-Isle Libraries are supported by property taxes and serve nearly 700,000 people at 21 different branches, including 15 in Snohomish County. A third of the libraries are too small for the number of people who use them.

Newer libraries like Camano Island, Monroe and Snohomish likely won’t need any major upgrades in the next decade. However, discussions have been underway for years in Lake Stevens and Mill Creek about possibly building new libraries. Other locations also may need to be remodeled or expanded, Sno-Isle communications director Ken Harvey said.

Sno-Isle hired consulting firm Margaret Sullivan Studio of New York for $12,500 to take a “big picture, futuristic look” at library services and buildings, with a report due in September, he said. Another contractor, Enviroissues of Seattle, plans to home in on drafting the actual plan for $124,550. That work includes gathering public comments, demographic and geographic data, and development requirements for areas where libraries may be built or expanded.

In 2007, the library district drafted an 18-year plan that, like the one they’re working on now, looked ahead to 2025. The plan proposed renovating, expanding or rebuilding all Sno-Isle branches, but the recession slowed or halted most projects, Harvey said. As the economy recovers and technology changes the way people use libraries, district managers decided to update the plan and work off of a 10-year timeline.

“We didn’t want to overly invest in a document that would go out of date too quickly,” Harvey said. “This will give us a much clearer sense of what communities we need to focus on.”

Lake Stevens and Mill Creek are the two areas where people have been most vocal about wanting new libraries, he said.

In Lake Stevens, the demand mostly seems to be based on the limited space and seating in the current building, library manager Sonia Gustafson said. She’s seen people come in with children during story time, take a look at the tiny, crowded children’s area and “turn right back around.”

On on recent morning, several adults stood around the self-checkout counter so they could prop their laptops on corners. There was nowhere else to set up their computers.

“Our three little tables are full all the time,” Gustafson said. “We’re pretty hopping for 2,500 square feet.”

More flexibility is needed in new library buildings, she said. They aren’t just in-and-out stops for people to check out books. Visitors are looking for meeting rooms, children’s activities and quiet, comfortable corners with a good wireless internet connection and outlets for laptops and tablets.

“Libraries have changed so much since I became a librarian nine years ago,” she said.

Sno-Isle administrators plan to host public meetings around Snohomish and Island counties along with accepting comments online this fall.

After the plan is finished, library staff can turn their attention toward the communities where people are most interested in new or updated libraries, Harvey said.

People can check for updates about the plan and public meetings online at sno-isle.org/facplan.

Kari Bray: 425-339-3439; kbray@heraldnet.com

Sno-Isle Libraries in Snohomish County

LibraryYear builtSize (square feet)Population of service area

Arlington19815,05526,063

Brier 1996 2,8408,547

Darrington 2009*5,0008,626

Edmonds1982 20,000 40,706

Granite Falls2001 6,53417,193

Lake Stevens19852,50035,653

Lynnwood1971; 1999* 25,920 87,331

Marysville199523,000 70,204

Mill Creek19877,400159,769

Monroe2002 20,000 35,715

Mountlake Terrace1988 12,842 25,269

Mukilteo 198815,000 25,228

Snohomish2003 23,00051,494

Stanwood1971;1986*5,40028,899

Sultan 20004,40014,330

*Library had major remodel or expansion

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

A firefighter stands in silence before a panel bearing the names of L. John Regelbrugge and Kris Regelbrugge during the ten-year remembrance of the Oso landslide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Flood of emotions’ as Oso Landslide Memorial opens on 10th anniversary

Friends, family and first responders held a moment of silence at 10:37 a.m. at the new 2-acre memorial off Highway 530.

Julie Petersen poses for a photo with images of her sister Christina Jefferds and Jefferds’ grand daughter Sanoah Violet Huestis next to a memorial for Sanoah at her home on March 20, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. Peterson wears her sister’s favorite color and one of her bangles. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
‘It just all came down’: An oral history of the Oso mudslide

Ten years later, The Daily Herald spoke with dozens of people — first responders, family, survivors — touched by the deadliest slide in U.S. history.

Victims of the Oso mudslide on March 22, 2014. (Courtesy photos)
Remembering the 43 lives lost in the Oso mudslide

The slide wiped out a neighborhood along Highway 530 in 2014. “Even though you feel like you’re alone in your grief, you’re really not.”

Director Lucia Schmit, right, and Deputy Director Dara Salmon inside the Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management on Friday, March 8, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
How Oso slide changed local emergency response ‘on virtually every level’

“In a decade, we have just really, really advanced,” through hard-earned lessons applied to the pandemic, floods and opioids.

Ron and Gail Thompson at their home on Monday, March 4, 2024 in Oso, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
In shadow of scarred Oso hillside, mudslide’s wounds still feel fresh

Locals reflected on living with grief and finding meaning in the wake of a catastrophe “nothing like you can ever imagine” in 2014.

Everett mall renderings from Brixton Capital. (Photo provided by the City of Everett)
Topgolf at the Everett Mall? Mayor’s hint still unconfirmed

After Cassie Franklin’s annual address, rumors circled about what “top” entertainment tenant could be landing at Everett Mall.

Everett
Everett man sentenced to 3 years of probation for mutilating animals

In 2022, neighbors reported Blayne Perez, 35, was shooting and torturing wildlife in north Everett.

Dorothy Crossman rides up on her bike to turn in her ballot  on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett leaders plan to ask voters for property tax increase

City officials will spend weeks hammering out details of a ballot measure, as Everett faces a $12.6 million deficit.

Starbucks employee Zach Gabelein outside of the Mill Creek location where he works on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mill Creek Starbucks votes 21-1 to form union

“We obviously are kind of on the high of that win,” store bargaining delegate Zach Gabelein said.

Lynnwood police respond to a collision on highway 99 at 176 street SW. (Photo provided by Lynnwood Police)
Police: Teen in stolen car flees cops, causes crash in Lynnwood

The crash blocked traffic for over an hour at 176th Street SW. The boy, 16, was arrested on felony warrants.

The view of Mountain Loop Mine out the window of a second floor classroom at Fairmount Elementary on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County: Everett mining yard violated order to halt work next to school

At least 10 reports accused OMA Construction of violating a stop-work order next to Fairmount Elementary. A judge will hear the case.

Imagine Children's Museum's incoming CEO, Elizabeth "Elee" Wood. (Photo provided by Imagine Children's Museum)
Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett to welcome new CEO

Nancy Johnson, who has led Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett for 25 years, will retire in June.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.