MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Public Library experienced a substantial drop in incidents between 2024 and 2025. The perception of the library was part of the discussion when library administrators delivered a report to Moses Lake City Council members Tuesday. 

Connie Baulne, the library's operations supervisor, said the library experienced 178 incidents in 2025, compared to 236 in 2024.  

"For 2024 we had 45 trespasses that were issued, and then in 2025 that number went down to 28," Baulne said.  

The library is located in Civic Center Park, and Baulne expressed gratitude to city officials for their efforts in the park. 

"It's been great. I know there's been a lot of work that's been done to make it safer, especially in the park, and we appreciate it a lot," she said. 

Council member Joel Graves said some residents have told him they hesitate to use the library. 

"If there are families who are reluctant to bring their kids into the library because of fear or perception, what's your response to that?" Graves asked. "Are you seeing more or less families bringing their kids into the library?" 

Baulne said she thinks that's a misperception. 

"Overall, the library is safe; we take safety extremely seriously," she said.  

She encouraged library patrons to inform the staff if they have concerns. 

"If there's ever an issue, we want people to come and tell us. If there's somebody that's making you feel uncomfortable, please let us know," she said.  

Austin Foglesong, the supervising librarian, said library district officials added more security cameras to the facility.  

"Those security cameras can be pulled up by staff at any staff computer to view a potential issue and then address it," Foglesong said. "Staff do have those up while they are working and are being very vigilant. That allows us to better inform our police partners through dispatch of what's actually happening and not having to get as close in some potential cases."  

Baulne said everyone has equal access to the library.  

"Yes, there are going to be homeless people in the library, but they have just as much right to be there as anybody. But it always goes back to, 'Everybody is welcome at the library as long as they follow the rules.' It always goes back to that," she said. "I would challenge people, please come down, check it out." 

Library usage by families has increased, Baulne said. 

"Our children's programming, especially for our preschool story time, has been averaging 35 to 70 attendees every Tuesday. We would love to have over 100 – we have had that happen several times over the past few years," Foglesong said. "We see our programming as being very healthy."  

Moses Lake is one of 28 locations within the NCW Libraries system scheduled for interior remodeling, which Foglesong said would include new flooring, paint and furniture. Repairs and upgrades to the building itself are the responsibility of the city, and Mayor Dustin Swartz said in a separate interview that city officials are working on assessing the condition of all city-owned buildings, including the library.  

Tim Fuhrman, president of the Moses Lake Library Foundation, said the foundation worked with the library to upgrade some of the interior components, such as shelving. Foundation members have other goals, but one big one. 

"Our large goal is to try to get the library footprint just a little bit bigger," Furhman said. 

Foundation officials have had a discussion with Washington Department of Commerce officials about possible funding opportunities for expansion, he said. 

"We know that the city is facing, like everyone else, serious financial issues," Fuhrman said. "My goal at the library foundation is to do whatever we can to make it easy for you to say, 'Yes, we want to continue with this library. We want to keep going.'"