When the Timberland Regional Library’s tax measure was defeated in February, it was inevitable that the system’s libraries would endure cuts in one form or another. That day of reckoning is approaching.

Timberland yesterday announced that it’s reducing hours for 25 of its 27 libraries in its five-county service area in Southwest Washington, starting June 1. Fortunately, the hour reductions aren’t drastic. If you tend to return books past the due date or print out items from a Timberland computer, it likely will cost ya. The Timberland board of trustees last night directed its staff to develop policies to charge fines for overdue books and fees for computer printouts.

Here is a story in today’s Olympian about the latest on Timberland. 

In a recent survey conducted by the State Library, libraries throughout Washington are suffering buget problems. Many are laying off staff or reducing hours.