Library borrowing has more than doubled in Stevens County since the Library
District was established, according to statistics available from the
Washington State Library. In 1997, adding up the annual borrowing from the
Kettle Falls (11,213), Chewelah (57,936) and Colville (77,531) Public
Libraries, the total for the county was 146,680.

In 2001, just three years after the District started checking out books,
almost 128,000 books were checked out of the county libraries, with another
170,000 borrowed from the city libraries including Chewelah (67,557) and
Colville (101,713) who partner with the District.

"Clearly, the taxpayers and county residents are using the libraries set up
by the District, as well as the city libraries that are working with the
District," explained David King, Chair of the Library Board.

In addition, there is a county wide summer reading program that over 1,000
children participated in this year. That service was not available prior to
the Library District. Storytimes are offered at the District and city
libraries introducing children to books and reading to prepare them for
school.