Library Workers Take the Brunt of Financial Mismanagement by Admin
Years of financial mismanagement has led to severe cuts to front-line staff at Timberland Regional Libraries despite assurances from the admin that no cuts were expected.
by: Isaac Wagnitz
The Timberland Regional Library’s (TRL) Board of Trustees meeting on February 25th revealed the scale of mismanagement which has plagued the library system for years, but has only recently become widely known. At that meeting, the Board announced a substantial budget shortfall for 2026, and gave library administration unrestricted authority to conduct layoffs of front-line employees. The Aberdeen Daily world reported the budget shortfall at $3.8 million.
This crisis displays a situation very different from what TRL administration presented during the last round of contract bargaining with the union representing library workers, AFSCME Local 3758B. Bargaining took place last summer and fall for a contract which went into effect this January. According to union members, TRL admin only mentioned the possibility of a budget shortfall toward the end of the bargaining process, and stated repeatedly that there were no projected layoffs.
Official announcements from TRL about the number of layoffs have been vague, but the total is known to be 61, in a system with about 200 public-facing workers. That total is split between 44 who have received compulsory layoff notices and 17 who have taken a “voluntary” layoff, according to the union. Impact bargaining over the effects of the cuts is still underway between the union and TRL administration.
Many former TRL workers spoke publicly, both before and during the February board meeting, regarding a pervasive culture of intimidation and retaliation against those who raise concerns about workplace issues or management decisions. Former employees also emphasized long-running micromanagement and heavy spending on projects and purchases of questionable utility. Current employees are extremely reluctant to be quoted by name on record regarding issues at TRL, for fear of retaliation.
Impacts will also be severe for library patrons, especially at rural branches. According to workers we spoke to, TRL administration has proposed the expansion of so-called “expanded access” libraries as a solution. There is no librarian regularly on duty at these locations, and instead patrons must apply for a card that will allow them to key into the building. This poses several challenges for patrons, the workers said. They stated that applying for a card requires a verifiable address, and travel to another branch to pick up the card if approved. Minors cannot enter the building unsupervised, and there would be no one to assist patrons with using technology or getting hard-to-reach items off shelves once inside.
At public meetings, workers and members of the public have argued that this effectively makes these branches no longer public libraries. There are also concerns about the cost of installing electronic access and surveillance systems. Current contract language also allows for some solo-staffed libraries, with only one librarian on duty at a given time, again mostly rural branches. Management has proposed expanding solo-staffing, but Local 3758 have rejected the change to their contract that would allow wider use of the practice, according to workers that spoke to Works in Progress.
With impact bargaining still ongoing between the union and administration, and with the culture of retaliation against workers within TRL administration, workers are feeling uncertain about what actions they can take right now. In this situation, the burden falls on the public to keep the pressure on for transparency and accountability. A newly formed Patron Coalition for Local Libraries has raised demands from the public side, and is a good way for supporters of the library and its workers to get involved.
There are calls for a thorough independent review of TRL’s finances to explain the seemingly unforeseen appearance of a major budget shortfall which has led to these layoffs and service cuts. Residents Thurston, Lewis, Mason, Greys Harbor, and Pacific Counties (TRL service area) are also contacting their County Commissioners, who appoint TRL’s Board of Trustees, to demand a change in leadership. In the long term, many believe changes will be required concerning how libraries are governed and funded. Washington State law could be changed to make library boards directly elected. The law capping levy lid lifts at one percent per year (which limits localities ability to raise taxes to fund libraries) could also be repealed, and alternative revenue sources for libraries found.
But as of right now, library workers and patrons alike are still waiting to see the full damage caused by years of unaccountable, out-of-touch leadership at TRL. Whatever the exact impacts ultimately are, it is increasingly clear that change is needed to save a valuable community resource.
Isaac Wagnitz is a longtime Olympia resident and proud union member.