Sumner Library Update: What Do You Want In A New Library?

SUMNER, WA — What would you like to see at a new Sumner library? The community will have an opportunity to share its vision for a brand new Pierce County Library System (PCLS) facility in Sumner during a weeklong open house at the end of the month.

While the current Sumner Pierce County Library has served the community for decades, the aging building — co-owned by the city and PCLS — is fated to close because of costly repairs. Now the city is planning to construct a new library on East Main, and PCLS wants its design and service options to reflect the Sumner community's desires.

PCLS is also working with the city of Lakewood to replace its Lakewood and Tillicum libraries. According to PCLS Executive Director Georgia Lomax, both Sumner and Lakewood are in need of updated libraries to accommodate modern features and offerings. To update the facilities in their current settings, however, would require millions.

"The current libraries are well-loved and well-used and have served the communities well," Lomax said in a statement. "Unfortunately, the aging buildings are underserving the communities, as more people and more services compete for limited space. The libraries were built with the purpose of housing books; today, libraries serve many more competing individual and community needs."

During the final week in July and the first couple days of August, PCLS officials will take input from the Sumner residents both online and in-person to learn what the new library should offer.

The Sumner Library open house will be held at 1116 Fryar Ave. from Sunday, July 28, through Saturday, Aug. 3.

For more information, including the online survey, visit imagine.pcls.us. Interested community members are also invited to speak with PCLS representatives at the following Sumner-based events:

• Rhubarb Days, Saturday, July 27 and Sunday, July 28
• Movies off Main, Friday, Aug. 2
• Classy Chassis Car Show, Sunday, Aug. 11