Timberland Regional Library will host drop-in information sessions about the upcoming levy lid lift throughout its five-county service area in September and October.
Community members are invited to stop by a session to learn more about the upcoming measure and what it would mean for their library and community.
TRL administrators and staff will be available to provide information and answer questions.
Upcoming sessions include:
• Thursday, Sept. 10, 6-7 p.m., Olympia Timberland Library
• Saturday, Sept. 19, 1-2 p.m., Packwood Timberland Library
• Friday, Sept. 25, 4-5 p.m., Shelton Timberland Library
• Wednesday, Sept. 30, 3-4 p.m., Montesano Timberland Library
• Wednesday, Sept. 30, 6-7 p.m., Raymond Timberland Library
• Friday, Oct. 2, 11 a.m.-noon, Mountain View Timberland Library in Randle
• Saturday, Oct. 3, 3-4 p.m., Yelm Timberland Library
• Wednesday, Oct. 7, 1-2 p.m., Ilwaco Timberland Library
• Wednesday, Oct. 7, 5-6 p.m., Naselle Self-Service Library
• Thursday, Oct. 8, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Mountain View Timberland Library in Randle
• Friday, Oct. 9, 2-3 p.m., Salkum Timberland Library
• Friday, Oct. 9, 5-6 p.m., Chehalis Timberland Library
• Wednesday, Oct. 14, 5-6 p.m., Hoquiam Timberland Library
• Tuesday, Oct. 20, 6-7 p.m., Lacey Timberland Library
Sessions may be added throughout the coming weeks. Any changes to the session schedule will be posted on TRL's levy webpage at trl.org/levy.
Regular library services will not be available during sessions held outside a library’s regular service hours. These locations will be open for the levy information sessions only.
All sessions are open to the public. Community members may attend any session that is convenient for them.
The TRL Board of Trustees voted unanimously Wednesday, July 22, to run a ballot proposal asking voters to raise TRL’s levy to 35 cents per $1,000 of assessed value.
November’s ballot measure will be the first time in more than 17 years that the library has sought to raise its levy rate after a 2009 vote was narrowly defeated, according to TRL.
If passed, TRL’s levy would be set at that 35 cent rate for 2027 and 2028, and increase by a maximum of 1% every year beyond that.
The current rate is about 22 cents per $1,000 of assessed value — about half of the statutory maximum rate of 50 cents per $1,000 of assessed value.
The average homeowner would pay an estimated $53 more per year if the measure is approved.
As a special purpose taxing district, TRL is funded primarily through local property taxes — 93.7% as of 2026, according to budget documents.
Although property tax revenue is generally reliable, state law limits the levy rate’s growth by 1% per year, which has historically not kept pace with increasing operational costs.
The levy lid lift is TRL’s solution to a $3.8 million budget shortfall that has led to layoffs, the resignation of former Executive Director Cheryl Heywood, and the departure of two senior employees who spoke disparagingly about board members and patrons in messages that later became public.
The TRL Board of Trustees, TRL administrators, staff and patrons generally agree that TRL needs to pass a levy lid lift by the end of 2027 to stabilize TRL’s budget and prevent further layoffs.
Ballots will be mailed to registered voters on Oct. 16. Election day is Nov. 3.
Additional information about the levy lid lift measure, including FAQs and resources for voters can be found at TRL.org/Levy.
