Kitsap Regional Library

Kitsap Regional Library is a mid-size rural library district serving Kitsap County’s population of 240,000. Kitsap Regional Library has 9 community library locations, online access to library materials and services, a traveling bookmobile, and outreach services for the homebound and youth.

With over half a million items in the library’s collection, library materials circulation continues to increase by 7% annually. In addition, the library provides free access to dozens of subscription-based databases and other professional reference assistance.

How much do you save by using the Library? Use this calculator to estimate the value of library services.

Kitsap libraries are also places for special events and learning. Weekly children’s activities are filled with wild and fun adventures. Special teen programs focus on participation and learning activities. Lecture series, author visits and numerous community events draw varied crowds to explore, share and learn together.

Governance

The five-member Board of Trustees governs the Kitsap Regional Library System. Board members are volunteers who are appointed for five-year terms, with no trustee serving more than two consecutive terms. Each Kitsap County Commissioner appoints members of the KRL Board of Trustees. KRL and the County seek geographic representation within the library’s service area.

The KRL Board of Trustees sets policy for library services throughout the system. The Board holds an annual planning retreat where long-range budget, facilities, staffing and other services are discussed in an open forum. The Board also hires and holds accountable the KRL Director who oversees the library organization and day-to-day operations.

The community is encouraged to attend the board’s monthly meetings and share their opinions, concerns and ideas.

Meeting Agendas & Minutes

Correspondence to Board members can be mailed to.

Board of Trustees
Kitsap Regional Library
1301 Sylvan Way
Bremerton, WA 98310

Funding

Kitsap Regional Library is primarily supported through property taxes (94.6% of the total library budget in 2004). Under Washington law, library levies may be no higher than $0.50 per thousand dollars of valuation for operations and maintenance. Library property tax support is also subject to the 2001 statewide Initiative 747, which limits property support to 1% in any given year, excluding new construction.

All areas of Kitsap County are part of the library district, or have annexed to or contracted with the district. The library district provides staffing, materials, telecommunications and administrative services for all of nine community libraries, outreach services and the bookmobile.

As in many other Washington counties, each community has come up with its own solution to provide facilities for library services, including maintenance, custodial services and utilities. Since public services are most economically provided to concentrated populations, the location of library facilities is based on community input and the library’s ability to provide library services to the greatest number of Kitsap County residents.

Library Buildings Provided by Municipalities