There's always a lot going on at the Jefferson County Library, especially today.

A custom-built bookmobile is being pieced together today at a plant in Ferndale. New digital capability is everywhere, in the form of hardware and helpful, trained staff. Programming for people of all ages is on the rise. And finances remain stable, with no need for raising a modest property tax rate of 50 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation.

That's the annual report from Jefferson County Library Director Meredith Wagner, delivered recently to the Jefferson Board of County Commissioners.

BOOKMOBILE

The new bookmobile is being customized according to specifications drawn up by the library staff and a consultant to greatly expand what the traveling library can do in the rural communities it visits.

When it arrives in October 2015, the $250,000 truck, funded through ample reserves, replaces a 12-year-old converted bus. The truck is being customized by TriVan Truck Body of Ferndale, a company in Whatcom County that typically customizes ambulances and blood-donation vans.

"We went to a site visit recently and we were blown away," said Wagner.

The mobile library has a level floor over wheel wells, pull-out shelves for readers and ample technological support for people with mobile devices. Wagner said she expects to have enough room inside to do "story time" for youngsters. The extra expense and planning are worth it, she said.

"For many, this is their connection to the libraries," she said. For the library, a well-equipped mobile library is much more cost-effective than a series of branch libraries, she added.

CHANGING TIMES

The way the library is used has changed, said Wagner. Community members come in to sit, to read or work on Internet-connected devices around other people, as an alternative to doing so alone at home. "Many adults come in just to be with other people, read the papers, whatever," she said, which has prompted reorganization with more seating.

Digital devices, connectivity and support has become a major focus of library services, she said. "We see it as our mission to help people so they still have access to information as the world moves more into digital formats," she said.

That has been made evident by:

• Building out the digital infrastructure with broadband networking

• Staff training and support for seniors or technology newbies

• Projection equipment in meeting rooms

• New devices for staff and users

• Tech Tuesdays, with afternoon classes on a variety of technology subjects from 3 to 4 p.m., and then individual assistance from 4 to 6 p.m.

"We started with six or seven people," she said. "Now we have 20-25 people."

PROGRAMMING

Programming is also on the increase. Early learning and summer reading programs are both growing; a weekly after-school program is under way that includes games, hands-on art projects and leadership-development programs.

"The focus is to have fun, but also make sure that kids from different schools can come here and interact and get to know each other, and our staff," she said.

For adults, the additional programming includes cultural and educational programs, and an emphasis on "listening to each other and having a conversation." That programming includes a series on tall ships, one on climate change and the "Great Decisions" series.

Among the next "Great Decisions" programs are "Sectarianism in the Middle East," taking place on May 28 and "India Changes Course," taking place on June 4. The programs begin at 6 p.m.

The adult programs average 60 people in attendance, Wagner said. The Hunting-ford Lecture, a major lecture held at the Chimacum High School auditorium, brought out 470 people last year.

There is also a monthly book discussion group, open to anyone, with copies of the book made available to those who want it, and which later are also available to smaller, private book groups, including residents of Port Townsend, through the library sharing system. A second monthly discussion is being added.

GOOD NUMBERS

The library's service reach is impressive and growing, by the numbers.

It has 13,240 registered borrowers in a population service area of 21,018. It experienced a 15 percent growth in borrowers in the last year. More than 361,000 items were borrowed from the main library in 2014, and almost 55,000 items were borrowed from the bookmobile. Operating revenues in 2014 were $1.9 million; expenses were $1.6 million, allowing surplus revenue for reserves and special projects. The library has $1.52 million in its reserve and received a clean record from a recent state audit.