Panel suggests library stick with county

A committee Wednesday recommended that the Valley library branch be kept in the hands of the Spokane County Library District.

The group of five citizens and two Spokane Valley council members wants the city of Spokane Valley to contract with the Spokane County Library District for the next five years, but study annexing to the district in two or three years.

The City Council appointed the group to analyze two bids made to the city – one from the district, which runs the Valley branch now, and the other from Library Systems & Services LLC, a Maryland-based company. The council opened the library contract to competition to get the best service for the least amount of money, officials have said.

The committee voted unanimously in favor of the district, Deputy City Manager Nina Regor said Thursday.

The committee will present its recommendation to the council Tuesday. At the same time, the city’s staff will make its recommendation. The council is expected to award the contract Nov. 9.