KC L S YEAR IN REVIEW HIGHLIGHTS 2018 KCLS YEAR IN REVIEW HIGHLIGHTS 2018 TABLE OF CONTENTS 2 INTRODUCTION 4 BUILDING A STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK 5 LOOKING BACK ON 2018 6 SUPPORTING EDUCATION AND STEAM LEARNING 12 CONTRIBUTING TO ECONOMIC STABILITY AND SUCCESS 17 COMMUNITY HUBS OFFERING ENRICHMENT FOR ALL 24 INCREASING DIGITAL ACCESS AND EQUITY 28 WELCOMING SPACES 32 LITERACY AND LANGUAGE LEARNING 36 TORCHBEARER FOR FACTS AND INFORMATION 38 TEAMING WITH COMMUNITY ADVOCATES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT 42 EMBRACING PARTNERSHIPS TO MAXIMIZE PUBLIC FUNDING 46 EXCELLENT STEWARD OF TAXPAYER INVESTMENTS CAPITAL BOND BUILDING PROGRAM 2018 FINANCIAL REPORT COLLABORATION WITH UNION GREEN INITIATIVE KCLS FOUNDATION 50 2018 CIRCULATION AND COLLECTIONS 53 KCLS GOVERNANCE AND ADMINISTRATION 54 REAL PEOPLE, REAL IMPACT: KCLS STORIES OF 2018 1 INTRODUCTION The King County Library System, thanks to strong KCLS joined forces with Ciara and Russell Wilson’s public and private support, had a tremendous Why Not You Foundation to launch in early 2019 an year in 2018. inspirational teen empowerment and scholarship In this annual Year in Review report, we are proud campaign, DREAM BIG: Anything is Possible. to highlight some of our major accomplishments. We collaborated with King County TV on a cable A welcome vote of confidence came when KCLS television program called KCLS Reads to create was once again named one of the top libraries in greater awareness what our libraries offer. We also the country, receiving a five-star rating for overall strengthened ties with the business community excellence. The rating, the highest awarded by and local nonprofits to offer popular classes on the Library Journal Index of Public Library Services, entrepreneurship, small business ownership and reflects a strong return on investment in five workforce development. An innovative partnership per-capita categories: circulation, library visits, with the City of Redmond and community resource program attendance, public internet computer providers led to the impactful Community Court use and circulation of electronic materials. program held at the Redmond Library, which gives non-violent offenders the chance to avoid For the fifth year in a row, KCLS was named the top jail by completing court-ordered requirements. digital-circulating public library system in the country, with 4.8 million checkouts of eBook and Our commitment to expanding STEAM audiobook downloads– learning (Science, Technology, Engineering, a 23 percent increase over 2017. While we continue Arts and Math) grew through partnerships with to offer an extensive collection of print, magazines, Rotary Club of Bellevue, the Moccasin Lake DVDs and other materials, it is interesting to note that Foundation, Google and the Boeing Company, KCLS is ranked third world-wide in digital downloads. all of which provided or pledged grant monies to KCLS through our Foundation. Moreover, KCLS entered the homestretch of a $172 million KCLS’ Summer Reading Program kept children, Capital Bond program approved by voters in 2004 teens and adults reading and engaged, with a to build, expand and renovate community libraries. 12 percent increase in the number of children When the new Kent Panther Lake and renovated registering compared to 2017. KCLS also saw Boulevard Park Libraries are completed in 2019, King a 21 percent increase in the number of teens County Library System patrons will have access to attending Summer Programs at their libraries. 50 libraries in a county that continues to grow, and See story: KCLS Staff Draw Ideas and Inspiration whose residents expect excellence in library service. at ‘Game Changers’, page 72. 2018 was also a big year for new and expanded The King County Library System turned 76 years partnerships. As stewards of public funds, we take old in 2018, and staff worked hard to ensure that very seriously our responsibility to make smart libraries are as relevant as ever. We are guided financial decisions that best serve the needs of our in this effort by a framework that includes our communities. Partnerships are essential to this effort. Strategic Focus, Mission, Vision and Values. 2 This framework strengthens KCLS as an all can come to achieve their goals, regardless organization in important ways, clarifying our of age, faith, abilities, gender, culture, ethnicity priorities and ensuring that we live out our or socioeconomic background. Libraries have commitments while providing the excellent always been beacons for democracy, and service patrons have come to expect. KCLS is committed to upholding this tradition. Public libraries strive to be all things to all people. The Library System aims to inspire the residents It is a tall order, and yet on any given day, you can of King County, connecting them with ideas, see KCLS touching patrons’ lives and making a information and each other. Our 2018 Year in difference. We connect people to the resources, Review highlights the many positive impacts that information and knowledge they need to achieve libraries have had on patrons and communities, their dreams and aspirations. We level the playing inside and outside of our buildings. field by removing obstacles to success through We hope you enjoy reading this Year in Review literacy, tutoring, and many other programs and the stories that demonstrate the ways KCLS and services further described in this report. has served and helped the people of King County. Amid the stresses and challenges of everyday life, it is reassuring to know that libraries offer Lisa G. Rosenblum positive, hopeful and welcoming spaces where KCLS Executive Director 3 BUILDING A STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK KCLS has a comprehensive strategic framework intended to build the organization from within, to Our Mission: To inspire the people of King County to guide and align our work on the public’s behalf. succeed through ideas, interaction and information. This framework was carefully and thoughtfully Our Vision: A world where knowledge allows developed with broad input from patrons, diverse communities to prosper and grow. community leaders and partners, educators Our Values: Knowledge; Intellectual Freedom; and staff. The process began in 2016, when KCLS Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; Professional conducted surveys, held meetings and reached out Ethics; Stewardship and a Service Mindset. to discover what King County residents considered Our Continuing Commitments: Customer service their highest hopes, dreams and plans for the future. through helpful and expert staff; a robust and diverse The extensive feedback we received helped shape collection of books and resources; responsive programs several elements of the framework, including our and services and welcoming library spaces. Strategic Focus: to create opportunities through meaningful connections. Broad public input also The strategic framework fortifies KCLS as an organization helped refresh our core Mission, Vision and Values. as it emphasizes teamwork, setting priorities, strategic goals and building on staff strengths. It reflects the Library System’s commitment to public service and accountability, and our deep intention to enhance lives, forge connections and strengthen communities. Strategic Goals: Organizational Excellence, Strategic Communication, Responsive, Inspiration Service, Communities of Inclusion. In 2018, efforts centered on developing a management system to align, prioritize, organize, measure and communicate our strategies, goals and initiatives. 2019 Strategic Initiatives: Removal of Barriers to Access, Economic Empowerment, Capital Improvement Program, Green Initiative, ideaX Makerspace, Region Reorganization, Payroll Analysis. 4 LOOKING BACK ON 2018 There was something for everyone at KCLS in 2018. We supported literacy and education, forged partnerships to expand access to programs and services, and encouraged lifelong learning. We neared the end of library construction and improvements funded by the 2004 voter-approved Capital Bond. In creating welcoming spaces, KCLS opened its doors to all while opening doors to knowledge. What follows are some of the highlights from a broad range of opportunities KCLS provided for personal growth and social engagement, helping to build lives and communities. 5 SIDE 1 1,000 minutes audio cassette MIX TAPE 1,000 Minutes 900 minutos Start Here comienza aquí 700 600 200 100 400 800 300 500 Minutes SUPPORTING EDUCATION AND STEAM LEARNING minutos Come to the library, and you can prepare for your future–whatever goals, job or career you envision. KCLS works with educators and employers to identify major economic trends to ensure the most relevant and helpful programs, particularly for youth. Because Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts/Design and Math (STEAM) learning has been identified as critical to success in today’s market, KCLS has increased STEAM offerings along with other educational classes and resources that will help prepare people for 21st Century success. KCLS’ Summer Reading Program is one of the most important ways libraries support education. Research shows that children who lack access to learning resources during the summer are less prepared for the school year and more likely to fall behind academically. A continued pattern of “summer slides” results in an estimated three and a half years of lost learning over the course of one’s K-12 education. Summer Reading helps to close this achievement gap by giving children of all economic backgrounds the chance to start the school year on an even footing. For the second year, Summer