SMALL ACTIONS, BIG IMPACT
2025 Annual Report
Celebrating every chapter, thanks to you
Dear Kitsap Community,
In 2025, we celebrated 80 years of Kitsap Regional Library, opens a new window. Eight decades spanning thousands of conversations, featuring millions of collaborative moments where small actions resulted in big impact—nine branches built by communities, comprising one diverse county.
From full passports to mug hunts, Summer Learning to storytimes, we saw library usage and program attendance swell, culminating in a resounding show of support for our Library with the successful passage of Library Levy Proposition 1 in August.
As we move into 2026, we’re deeply grateful to see all nine library locations supporting early learning, teen development, and workforce readiness with consistent, open hours, cutting-edge technology, vibrant collections, and branches that are welcoming, safe, and inclusive.
Guided by our 2024-2029 Strategic Direction, opens a new window and thanks to your support, opens a new window, the Library is on a sustainable path. To ensure high-quality library service today, we must be responsible stewards of our libraries for tomorrow. One of our top priorities is to address the future of our aging Sylvan Way branch, opens a new window. In the months ahead, we will invite the community to help shape what comes next for Sylvan Way.
Thank you for being a part of Kitsap Regional Library’s story. Together, we are writing our next chapter. As Kitsap communities continue to evolve, so will we.
Onward,
Jason Driver
Library Director,
Kitsap Regional Library
In 2025
Kitsap Regional Library is committed to ensuring that everyone sees themselves reflected in the Library with programs, collections, and resources that are inclusive and representative of the communities we serve.
9 libraries and a Mobile Services team serving more than 108,000 Kitsap households
133 public computers provided more than 64,000 hours of access and training
2,736 deliveries of over 13,000 personalized library materials to homes, healthcare facilities, and group homes
More than 2.6 million books, ebooks, audiobooks, movies—and more!—borrowed and renewed
93,467 active cardholders
84,720 kids, teens, and adults attended nearly 3,100 classes and events
FOSTERING WELCOMING & BELONGING
Everyone sees themselves reflected in the Library.
A Welcoming & Supportive Library
Where Learning Begins
In 2025, the Library hosted 915 Storytime, opens a new window, baby band, opens a new window, and early learning events, opens a new window, welcoming 28,300+ parents, caregivers, and little ones. Through shared stories, songs, rhymes, and movement, these programs support children’s first educators in building foundational literacy skills and foster social and emotional development that contribute to early school success.
Piecing Together Connections
Jeanie D. and Melissa R. launched Puzzle Club in 2024 after Jeanie was inspired by a speed-puzzling competition. At Little Boston, the club more than doubled attendance in 2025 and inspired other branches to start their own puzzle-related programming. Members celebrated the one-year anniversary and the holidays with two parties, completing a puzzle together and building community, enthusiasm, and connection.
“These parties are a perfect metaphor for the connections created in Puzzle Club. Some members have shared that Puzzle Club helps them connect with others, socialize, and provides respite from some of life’s difficulties,” shared Jeanie and Melissa.
Tools for Creativity
Silverdale’s new pop-up makerspace, opens a new window began to take shape years ago when branch manager Ana Cuprill Comas was a Youth Services Librarian. This collaborative space pops up monthly, offering opportunities to make, learn, and explore with tools like 3D printers, laser cutters, and art supplies. It's proving to be a flexible model that could inspire future mobile programs.
With support from the Kitsap Regional Library Foundation, your Library can offer more than what public funding covers alone—learn more in their 2025 Impact Report.
The Library Comes Alive at Night
In early October, Library lovers came together for Library After Dark—an evening of games, costumes, music, and merriment at Sylvan Way, with one attendee describing it as “Scholastic Book Fair for adults!”
Stories Bring Us Together
The Library marked its second year hosting Prime Time Family Reading, a facilitated program designed to foster dialogue, learning, and connection. Connected by the Kitsap Regional Library Foundation and funded and implemented by Humanities Washington, Prime Time brings families together to explore stories through meaningful conversation.
Despite funding uncertainty in 2024, Humanities Washington remained steadfast in its commitment to supporting the program. The Library offered sessions celebrating Indigenous heritage at Little Boston and bilingual sessions at Silverdale highlighting Latino heritage.
These partnerships make more possible for our community.
“Our Prime Time sessions were bilingual, and this became a meaningful part of the experience for everyone involved… The stories highlighted different cultural perspectives while centering on common themes, helping families connect with one another and recognize that, despite coming from different places, we share many of the same experiences.” -- Ana Cuprill Comas, Silverdale Branch Manager
More Time for MLK
Beginning November 1, the Bremerton – Dr. Martin Luther Jr. Branch extended its Saturday hours to 10 am – 5 pm, giving the downtown Bremerton community more time to visit, browse, and check out materials at this well-loved library. This decision came following regular requests and feedback from patrons.
“It feels like we are really meeting a patron need and providing good access for the community. It’s a delight to talk to patrons at 1:50 pm on Saturdays who ask, “What time do you close again?” and be met with excitement when we answer, “Not until 5 pm!” -- Glenna Matteson, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Branch Manager
Your Library Anytime, Anywhere
Your Library Without Limits
We added 45,042 physical and 53,270 digital items to our collection, reflecting the diverse interests of our community.
"I always remember a special feeling upon entering the Bremerton branch as a child and never wanting to ever leave. Later in life, I took my own children to the Bainbridge branch for story times. They enjoyed checking out an armload of books, and they were thrilled to have their own cards! I enjoy going to the Poulsbo branch now in my senior years, to browse and relax in a quiet, peaceful environment.” Kathy J., Facebook
Blog Post
Checkout All-Stars 2025
Access at Your Fingertips
In 2025, over 952,046 items were borrowed through Libby, opens a new window—our free app that provides easy access to more than 104,955 ebooks, audiobooks, and digital magazines.
Get with the Program
Joining library classes and events got easier with website and app updates made in May 2025. Now you can save events you want to attend and track events you’re registered for or waitlisted for! Or, export and print just the events you want.
Saving Stories for the Future
Launched in summer 2025, Scan EZ stations at our Bainbridge, Poulsbo, Silverdale, and Sylvan Way branches now allow patrons to restore and save beloved family photos, archival newspaper articles, and more to JPG and PDF files, convert text to audio, translate and sign documents, and scan cards into high-resolution digital documents. Since its debut, nearly 4,500 print, scan, translation, and restoration jobs have been completed.
Blog Post
Vivid Scans, Secure Storage & Translation: Easy with Scan EZ
Relentlessly Resourceful
Throughout the summer, the Information Technology (IT) department undertook the monumental task of deploying Windows 11 across the library, bringing a more modern, secure, and efficient user experience to patrons and staff. In the process, they discovered that several dozen laptops were not compatible with Windows 11 and got creative! Soon, these laptops were introduced in our Silverdale and Sylvan Way branches, refreshed and ready for in-branch checkout. So far, the results have been inspiring!
Beth Steinbech, supervisor at Sylvan Way, shared, “We have patrons who pair our laptops with study rooms, opens a new window so they can take a test or even interview for a job. Since our laptops have cameras and our public computers do not, this is a huge asset for those who need this function.” Silverdale branch manager Ana Cuprill Comas added, “We had a patron who used it for occupational therapy with their teen. Of course, lots of Zoom meetings, as well as folks who want privacy to look at medical documents or financial information. Whether for a class, meeting, or sensitive documents, the added privacy and accessibility are the biggest reasons people look for and use them again and again.”
BUILD COLLECTIVE IMPACT
Collaboration leads to shared success and lasting positive change.
Shared Success
A Decade of Building Futures
Celebrating 10 years and 50 interns graduating from the program, the Community Learning Internship, opens a new window helps young adults prepare for the workforce through a paid internship that offers career exploration and work experience in a supportive environment.
Interns receive professional development through mentorship and partnerships with local school districts and organizations, including Worksource Pathways to Success, the Olympic College Workforce Development Council, the West Sound STEM Network, Kitsap Strong, Bremerton High School, and Voices of the Pacific Island Nations. In 2025, interns spent eight months learning and supporting Library work while developing a professional project, culminating in a presentation at a fall graduation.
"I've had the privilege of being a part of this project since the very beginning," said Leigh Ann Winterowd, who is the North Kitsap Regional Branch Manager and hired the first intern to the program in 2015. "Over the past ten years, program alumni have stepped into classrooms, businesses, clinics, nonprofits, and community organizations. Some have even returned as mentors, giving back to the very program that once shaped them."
Showing Up for Kitsap
Every year, the Library shows up to celebrate and engage with our community at more than 60 festivals, events, and community programs across Kitsap. By being present and partnering to support community goals, the Library fosters connections, supports local culture, and promotes inclusivity, showing our commitment to our community. This year, you may have seen the Library out and about at:
- Youth Rally for Human Rights
- Central Kitsap Fire District Kids Day
- Armed Forces Day Festival
- Juneteenth People's March & Freedom Festival
- Kitsap Fair and Stampede
- Kitsap Salmon Tours
- Kitsap Pride Festival
- Wayzgoose Kitsap
- Dozens of local, community-centered events
Growing Teen Leadership
The teen volunteer program gained momentum with Sylvan Way joining Bainbridge Island, Port Orchard, Poulsbo, and Silverdale as locations offering volunteer opportunities. The program fosters a community where teens can learn and practice job skills, feel valued and connected to the Library, influence programs and services, and build relationships with caring adults invested in their future. In 2025, 34 teen volunteers contributed nearly 500 hours of service.
Stories Strengthen Community
Just getting started at the end of 2025, our new program Sharing Our Stories invites community organizations to take the lead in creating a shared reading experience. With the guidance of Kitsap Regional Library and the support of the Kitsap Regional Library Foundation, the program aims to build collective impact as groups work with a facilitator to read a book together and discuss the themes that connect them.
2025 participants:
- Kitsap County Department of Community Development
- Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe
- Kitsap Strong
- Kitsap Public Health District
To the Library Grows
For 18 years, Kitsap Regional Library has supported students as they progress to the next stage in their personal and academic lives. To the Library has been a foundational program and experience for third graders across Kitsap County, as many make their first trip to the library, receive their first library card, and so much more.
New in 2025, the program expanded to include middle school students. While third-grade visits introduce a broad understanding of what a library offers and the joy found there, middle school visits introduce resources that support students academically and personally, while reinforcing that the library is a safe, welcoming space with people ready to help.
Over 2,680 third and middle-grade students enjoyed this immersive experience.
The To the Library program, opens a new window fosters meaningful connections among teachers, students, and caregivers to nurture a lifelong love of learning and support third graders and middle schoolers on the path to graduation.
Summer is More Fun at the Library
Dive into Discovery
From June through August, thousands of kids, teens, and adults chose to "Dive into Discovery" and take on the Library's annual reading and learning challenges.
Summer Learning plays a critical role in preventing the "summer slide"—the loss of academic skill over the school break. With engaging challenges, fun and educational performances, and a vast array of events, the program keeps minds active and curiosity thriving all summer long.
Sizzling Summer Learning Stats
9,268 10-hour reading finishers
(up 10% from 2024)
4,443 100-hour reading finishers
(up 21% from 2024)
1,108 Do Something Challenge finishers
15,965 kids, teens, and adults attended
693 summer programs
1,448 10-hour youth readers received free tickets to Seattle Storm games
30+ performances system-wide
with 5,000+ attendees
Fueling Kids with Free Summer Meals
Partnering with the Bremerton and South Kitsap School Districts, the Sylvan Way, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and Port Orchard branches once again provided free meals to children 18 and under throughout the summer. Supporting their health and development year-round, this initiative is crucial for addressing food insecurity and ensuring that kids have access to nutritious meals during months when school meal programs are unavailable.
Cultivate A Resilient Internal Culture
Learning Together
Twice a year, our teams gather for a full day of training to learn from local leaders, library professionals, and one another. Together, we strengthen confidence, communication, and collaboration to create a more informed and supportive workplace, so our community experiences a more welcoming library.
A Healthy Workplace
The Library earned the WellCity designation from the Association of Washington Cities for the eighth consecutive year, recognizing its commitment to employee health. Driven by staff participation, this achievement gives the Library a 2% discount on medical insurance premiums.
Celebrating the Team Behind the Library
Library staff came together throughout 2025. In April, library leadership celebrated National Library Workers Day by serving teams, sharing appreciation, treats, and time together. In August, we gathered for the third annual Staff Picnic, with family, friends, and food, and in September, nearly 80 folks enjoyed an evening at Cheney Stadium cheering on the Rainiers, opportunities made possible by the Foundation's support.
THRIVE AHEAD
Sustaining our Library's legacy for generations to come.
Future-Ready, Universally Accessible Spaces
Space to Connect
Thanks to funding from the Poulsbo Friends of the Library, the Poulsbo branch unveiled two new meet-and-study rooms in November. With glass walls, adjustable-height tables, and an assortment of technology, these rooms are now open for anyone to reserve and enjoy.
Booked and Busy: Poulsbo Friends Make Room at the Library
Bainbridge Goes Solar
In November, the Bainbridge branch received new solar panels, boosting energy efficiency and sustainability. This project was due to the work and funding of Bainbridge Public Library, Inc., the nonprofit building owners, and the Bainbridge Island Friends of the Library.
Bainbridge Branch Shines on Solar Power
A Turning Point for Sylvan Way
In 2025, ongoing plumbing issues at the Sylvan Way branch led to both short-notice and extended maintenance closures. Repairs required permanently closing part of the public space, underscoring the ongoing needs of this aging building—a situation we’ve monitored since a 2020 professional facilities assessment.
Sylvan Way remains essential to our community and, as the administrative home and processing center for Library collections, to our entire system. The events of 2025 make clear the urgency of planning for Sylvan Way’s future.
Read More
Sylvan Way's Future
A Library Legacy For Generations To Come
80 Years of Service
In 1944, Kitsap residents made history by creating a county-wide library system. By 1945, the Kitsap Rural County Library District was in operation, later becoming Kitsap Regional Library. In 2025, we celebrated 80 years of learning, community, and connection, opens a new window with a year-long series of events.
Highlights included the Passport to Explore, inviting visitors to tour all nine branches; limited-edition library cards with a unique design for each branch; a mug hunt featuring 200 location-themed mugs; and a lively 80th Anniversary party at Silverdale attended by over 200 community members.
The celebration culminated in the fall with library-themed movie screenings, panel discussions, games, trivia, and storytelling nights, and an immersive exhibit at Kitsap History Museum, featuring a dynamic timeline, favorite checkouts from the past eight decades, a playable “Oregon Trail” game, and vintage card catalogs.
PUBLICLY FUNDED, FREE ACCESS FOR ALL
Your Community Funded Library
In 2025, local property taxes accounted for over 96% of the Library’s operating budget, contributing approximately $18.5 million to everyday operations.
In August, 2025, Kitsap voters approved Library Levy Proposition 1 by nearly 62%, raising the property tax rate to $0.39 per $1,000 of assessed value, which will generate an estimated $7.7 million in additional revenue for 2026. This funding will sustain services across all nine branches for the next seven to ten years—keeping locations open, supporting early learning, teen development, and workforce readiness, maintaining relevant technology and collections, and providing safe, inclusive spaces.
Voter support is more than a number; it’s a vote of confidence in your libraries. Together, we are creating a library system that serves and strengthens our community today and for years to come.
Continuing to Thrive Ahead
Created in 2024, our five-year strategic vision serves as a roadmap for guiding our decisions and fulfilling our mission. It ensures that Kitsap Regional Library remains focused on inspiring future generations and driving our vision: A collaborative community inspired by curiosity and connection, where everyone has the opportunity to grow, belong, and thrive.
Partnerships Make Libraries Possible
Together, We Create Connections
Community organizations, building owners, and fundraising partners provide volunteers, resources, and sometimes spaces that support library services and programs, fostering a Kitsap community of curiosity and connection beyond what public funding alone can achieve.
Building Partners
The cities of Bremerton and Port Orchard, Bainbridge Public Library, Inc., Central Kitsap School District, Friends of the Manchester Library, Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe, and the Village Green Metropolitan Parks District.
Fundraising Partners
Kitsap Regional Library Foundation and Friends of the Library, opens a new window organizations of Bainbridge Island, East Bremerton, Manchester, Kingston, Port Orchard, Poulsbo, and Silverdale.
Board of Trustees
- Erik Fong, 2022-2026, 2025 President
- Gina D. Steiner, 2024-2028, 2025 Vice President
- Monica Blackwood, 2025-2029
- Marwan Cameron, 2022-2025, 2026-2030
- Eric Cisney, 2023-2027
Kitsap Regional Library Foundation
2025 Impact Report
Together, We Make a Difference
For more than 30 years, the Kitsap Regional Library Foundation has partnered with donors to enhance and enrich library experiences throughout Kitsap County. Through generosity and collaboration, the Foundation helps elevate what Kitsap Regional Library can offer. Since 1993, it has contributed more than $9 million to support innovation, strengthen services, and create welcoming spaces for connection—expanding the Library’s impact across our community.
By supplementing public investment, philanthropic support allows the Library to try new ideas, respond to community needs, and create opportunities beyond what public funding alone can provide. Together, we are building on a strong public foundation to ensure the Library remains vibrant, inclusive, and responsive—today and for the future.
With gratitude,
Wendy Kile, Foundation Executive Director
Kari Driskell, Assistant Director
Alyssa Shaw, Foundation Specialist
Foundation Mission
The Foundation proudly supports our community by facilitating charitable gifts that advance the Library’s mission and vision: Inspiring curiosity and connection so that all people have the opportunity to grow, belong, and thrive.
Supporting the Library
Last year, 1,033 donors contributed over $688,000 to support the Library, and 493 individuals made their first gift!
With donor support, the Foundation gave over $313,000 to Kitsap Regional Library, providing the necessary funding to take services, programs, and projects to the next level.
What We Fund
- Special Programs & Events Support | $47,398
- Summer Learning Program | $105,534
- Branch & Program Support | $84,018
- Community Books Support | $9,258
- To The Library Program | $33,385
- Staff Training & Recognition | $33,522
Our Generous Sponsors
Our sponsors inspire us with their commitment to supporting the future of our Library.
'Growth' Sponsor
'Growth' Sponsor
'Growth' Sponsor
'Curiosity' Sponsor
'Connection' Sponsor
Power of Community
We are honored to recognize and extend our sincerest gratitude to family donors.
Our Board of Directors
- Kristann Orton, President
- Ruchi Christensen, Vice President
- Carrie Eastman, Past President
- Cathy Harvey, Secretary
- Andrea Sanchez-Williams, Treasurer
- Sarah Butler, Board Member
- Erik Fong, Board Member
- Sade James, Board Member
- Nils Thompson, Board Member
- Jennifer Yeaman, Board Member
Ways to Give
Legacy Giving
Estate planning remains an important pathway for future library support. In 2025, 36 wills were created through FreeWill, with 12 that included a gift benefiting Kitsap Regional Library.
Library Champions
Monthly donor participation reached 49 donors in 2025, up 9% from 2024. Recurring philanthropic gifts help address current needs that support library access, learning opportunities, and community connection.
Shop the Library
Library merchandise sales provided $4,176 in philanthropic support in 2025 through 280 purchases. Items such as sweatshirts, tees, and totes offer community members a visible way to show library pride.
Non-Cash Gifts
Tax-savvy gifts made through IRAs and donor-advised funds generated $99,000 in philanthropic support in 2025, nearly doubling 2024 results. Additional non-cash options include gifts of appreciated stock.
