2015 Annual Report

Building the 21st Century Library

We had a great year in 2015 and several accomplishments stand out.

We closed 2015 with the second year of the voter approved levy lid lift to maintain and expand hours. That vote continues to allow the community to realize record-breaking usage of our collections and technology. We’ve taken the levy’s vote of confidence seriously and have furthered this investment in taxpayer dollars. By implementing a robust self-service model and realigning staff, we were able to expand on that promise and offer Sunday hours at Shadle. This marks the first time a Spokane Public Library location has ever been open on a Sunday. This agile service model also made it possible for us to temporarily expand hours in response to the Wind Storm in November.

We have also expanded and rethought how we partner with the community to increase our impact. Our Downtown Library began hosting the Mobius Science Center this year while they prepare for their new space. This partnership brings hands-on science education and library resources to Spokane in a new, exciting way.

Our customers continued to come to us to borrow materials, and over two million items were checked out in 2015. Spokane Public Library customers continued to embrace both print and digital formats. Our Digital Branch continues to see the greatest growth, and our digital collection got a boost when we launched a revamped website. We also expanded our digital offerings by making comics and streaming videos available to our customers via Hoopla.

Every day at the library, we see the needs of our citizens evolve. Technology has changed all of us. Spokane Public Library wants the library experience to be just as meaningful and memorable to future generations as it has been for all our past and present customers. One of the ways we are able to do this is by offering expanded educational opportunities specific to developing digital literacy skills and meaningful interactions with technology. The classes were made possible with funding provided to the Washington State Library by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

To help ensure the investment from the community to the library, we also launched our Future Study. We are taking a look at our infrastructure capability (our staff, buildings, furniture, technology, funding) and how we can adapt to be a more sustainable and responsive resource to Spokane. We will continue this conversation out in the community in 2016 as we look to build upon our past success to deliver 21st century library services.

Thank you for your support. We would also like to thank the hard work and dedication of our staff, the guidance of the Board of Trustees and the continued support from the Spokane Public Library Foundation, the Friends of the Spokane Public Library and elected officials.

Andrew Chanse
Executive Director, Spokane Public Library

We invite you to read our 2015 Annual Report →

Spring book sale ends Saturday

Twice a year, the Friends of the Library have a book sale, and we encourage you to stop by our Downtown branch to buy a few books and support Spokane Public Library. Most items are $1 or less.

The Spring Book Sale runs through April 2.

More information about the book sale →

Tickets available for one more week!

Second Annual Citizen Hall of Fame

What do entertainer Bing Crosby and civil rights attorney Carl Maxey have in common with Bloomsday founder Don Kardong and former Speaker of the House Tom Foley? Those two along with eight more are going to be inducted into Spokane’s Hall of Fame on April 14.

Join us for a breakfast celebration of citizens and a fundraiser for the library’s business and entrepreneurial services.

We will also be honoring Former Washington State University President, Elson S. Floyd as the first recipient of the Spokane Citizen Impact Award.

Don’t miss the great morning.

Attend the awards breakfast →

More about the Citizen Hall of Fame →

Seven Tongues of Flame

Ireland’s Easter Rebellion of 1916

How can musicians and poets achieve military goals? In this inspirational presentation, musician and historian Hank Cramer will share how visionary poets achieved a goal that no military commander before them had been able to accomplish.

Their victory was later commemorated in the popular ballad, The Foggy Dew.

Shadle Library: Saturday, April 2, 1 – 2pm →

South Hill Library: Saturday, April 2, 4 – 5pm →

Spring Break Lego Mindstorm Robotics

Join us for a three-day workshop devoted to building and programming Lego Mindstorms EV3 robots!

April 6, 7, 8 at the Indian Trail Library from 2 – 4pm

Please plan to attend all three days.

Space is limited, so registration is required. For ages 10-14.

Registration and more information →

Small space gardening

Think your space is too small for a garden? Think again!

Learn about containers and vertical gardening among others. Master Gardener Mia Marcum-McCoy is our presenter.

East Side Library Saturday, April 9, 10:30 – 11:30am →

This program was original scheduled for April 2 at 2pm.

Community conversations

The conversation continues in April

In 2015, Spokane Public Library began a system-wide study in order to coordinate services, facilities, and resources with emerging community needs. We met with stakeholders throughout the community to guide our process and have developed a draft vision for the next 20 years of library service to Spokane residents.