Puyallup Library Advisory Board Meeting – May 18, 2026

The Puyallup Library Advisory Board met in person on May 18, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the Puyallup Library Board Room. Chair Melanie Fuemmeler called the meeting to order with a quorum of four members present (Fuemmeler, Ziemer, Weishaar, Gerstmann); Alice Ferguson was absent. The meeting adjourned at 6:17 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Agenda: Motion by Board Member Gerstmann, seconded by Vice-Chair Ziemer, passed 4-0.
• Approval of March 16, 2026 Minutes: Motion by BM Gerstmann, seconded by BM Weishaar, passed 4-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No citizen comments were received in person or by email.

Library Director's Report

• Professional Development: Library Director Nicole Erickson reported that Washington State Library grants fully or largely covered conference expenses for four staff members: one librarian at the Public Library Association conference in Minnesota, and a technician and two assistants at the Washington Library Association conference in Yakima.
• Children’s Area Refresh: The Puyallup River Watershed Council grant funded a new interactive “pollination station” and other items from a $30,000 Kiwanis grant are arriving in June. Director Erickson applied for another $30,000 Kiwanis grant for 2027 to enable yearly incremental updates rather than major overhauls.
• April 2026 Statistics: Compared to the previous year, the library saw increases in OverDrive checkouts, cardholders, circulation, and door counts. New people counters provide hourly traffic data, which led to doubling desk staffing on upper floors during six peak hours.

Friends of the Library Report

• The Friends group will meet June 14, 2026, and is actively seeking volunteers.

Library Foundation Report

• Sound Booth: The Foundation voted to increase its contribution from $20,000 to $25,000, covering about half the total cost (including additional ADA and fire strobe modifications).
• HVAC Grant: The library applied to the Washington State Library for a capital facilities grant of up to $2 million. The request is a matching grant (less $25,000 from the library) to upgrade the HVAC system, which has caused multiple closures due to extreme heat, disabling computers and printers on the upper floor.
• Other Activities: The Foundation held a successful silent reading event at a local venue and is exploring collaboration with other businesses for future fundraisers. The next Foundation meeting is Monday, July 13, 2026, via Zoom.

Board Member Comments

• Summer Reading Program: Director Erickson clarified the program runs June 1–August 31, 2026 (not tied to school dismissal) to accommodate diverse schedules. A mobile app will be available alongside traditional sign-up. Children’s librarian Bonnie is already booking school visits, which is expected to boost participation.
• Member Absence: Chair Fuemmeler noted that Alice Ferguson has now had two unexcused absences; a third would lead to removal. The board will check on Ferguson and coordinate with the city clerk. If removed, a new applicant process would open.

Key Outcomes

• Agenda and minutes approved 4-0.
• Director Erickson to apply for 2027 Kiwanis grant for continuous children’s area updates.
• Summer reading program confirmed for June 1–August 31 with mobile app.
• Next regular meeting set for September 21, 2026, in person (summer break observed; typo in printed agenda corrected).
• The board may schedule a special session if urgent business arises.