Libraries: Save branch in Northeast Tacoma

Re: “Library cuts put region’s history at risk,” (TNT editorial, 6/30).

As a Northeast Tacoma resident who has used both the Kobetich library and the two King County library sites in Federal Way, I can tell you it is misguided to justify closing Kobetich because Tacoma patrons can use Federal Way libraries.

It ignores the fact that the King County Library System is consistently one of the busiest in the country. It has not been at all unusual for the waiting list for new books to be several hundred people. Even with multiple copies available, it can take months to check out a new book from King County.

As your editorial noted, Kobetich is isolated from the city. If it is closed, timely access to library materials will require a trip around the port to the main branch in downtown Tacoma, not just a jaunt into Federal Way.

Your editorial did not indicate how many people use the Northwest Room each month. I would suspect it would be far less than the 6,000 monthly patrons at Kobetich. But closing either site is unacceptable. I would urge the city manager to reconsider library cuts as a budget solution.

This story was originally published July 5, 2016 at 10:55 AM with the headline "Libraries: Save branch in Northeast Tacoma."