Washington County Cooperative Library Services (WCCLS)
Funds from LFWC designated for “WCCLS” will be used to enhance WCCLS-provided countywide library services. Funds may support countywide pilot projects; funds are not for on-going central or local library operations. Donors who wish to donate to a single community should donate directly to that library’s foundation or Friends of the Library group.
WCCLS is a partnership of the County, nine cities and three non-profit associations organized in order provide a high level of public library services to all residents of Washington County. WCCLS is a department of Washington County (governed by the Board of County Commissioners).
Through intergovernmental agreements with its member libraries, WCCLS provides the majority of the member libraries’ operational funding and a variety of support services including a shared catalog, technology, electronic resources, and inter-library deliveries. WCCLS also provides outreach to special populations including Library Mail Service to homebound residents, materials and services for residents who speak languages other than English, special services for youth and early literacy, and materials for the Jail Inmate Library.
WCCLS receives its funding from two main sources: the County general fund and a dedicated five-year property tax levy approved by the voters. Member public libraries are responsible for their own capital assets.