2006 was without a doubt the busiest year ever at Kitsap Regional Library – more books and materials, more visits, more programs, more Internet demand and more Library patrons visiting and using their Libraries.

Materials Checked Out – 5.24% increase
Active Library Users – 12% increase
Library Visits – 13% increase
Library Collection – 15% increase
Reference Questions – 40% increase

For the first time in many years, the Library adjusted open hours, adding 27.5 weekly hours across KRL’s nine Libraries. The changes were a direct outcome of the Library’s Vision 2010 Strategic Plan, with input from over 1,000 community members requesting additional nights and weekend hours as their top
priority for Library services. These new hours have helped to alleviate some of the pressure on over-capacity Library services such as public computer use, materials check-out and parking.

In addition to 19,151 new Library users, KRL welcomed a new Library Director in 2006. Following a national search, Jill Jean, a long-time Kitsap resident and former Public Services Director at Seattle Public Library joined KRL.

Since 2002, KRL has projected that 2006 would be the year that demand for Library service would significantly outpace Library funding requiring the Library to use $1.86 million in reserve funds to maintain services in 2006. The majority of the Library’s remaining cash and capital reserves, $2.26 million, will be used to maintain Library services in 2007. In order to sustain services and address service demand growth, the Library District anticipates a Spring 2007 levy lid-lift to increase Library revenues in 2008, and avoid a $2.1 million shortfall.