Sno-Isle Libraries to run Granite Falls library

Published 8:27 pm Thursday, January 5, 2012

GRANITE FALLS — The city’s library is changing hands.

The 1.52-acre property at 815 E. Galena St. is in the process of being transferred to Sno-Isle Libraries. A resolution authorizing the city to hand over ownership to Sno-Isle Libraries was approved in December by the Granite Falls City Council. Members of the Sno-Isle Libraries Board of Trustees are scheduled to make a final decision Jan. 23 at a 5 p.m. meeting at the Sno-Isle Libraries Service Center, 7312 35th Ave. NE in Tulalip.

The regional library system plans to continue to use and maintain the property as a public library, but will cover the cost of utilities, operation and repair associated with the 6,300-square-foot library building and land.*

No change in service is expected at the library, said Ken Harvey, Sno-Isle Libraries communications director.

“As far as we can see the future use of that building will always be a library for the residents,” he said.

City officials began talking about transferring the property about a year ago. The city expects to save $40,000 in annual costs from the transfer if it is approved.

Sno-Isle Libraries currently owns six properties including the Coupeville, Freeland, Mukilteo, Monroe and Snohomish libraries and the Service Center, Harvey said.

Amy Daybert: 425-339-3491; adaybert@heraldnet.com.

Correction, Jan. 9, 2012: An earlier version of this story incorrectly described which entity pays which library costs.