Sno-Isle Libraries will host five open houses from Oct. 14-27, to hear from the public whether, and how, community library buildings should change.

The tax-supported district serves nearly 700,000 residents in Snohomish and Island counties and has 21 community libraries. Residents are invited to attend one of the following open houses to help shape the future of their library system:

• Oct.14, Edmonds, 6-8 p.m., Edmonds Center for the Arts, 410 4th Ave. N
• Oct. 19, Langley, 6-8 p.m., Bayview Community Hall, 5642 Bayview Rd.
• Oct. 21, Mill Creek, 6-8 p.m., Mill Creek Elementary, 3400 148th St. SE
• Oct. 22, Marysville, 6-8 p.m., Cedarcrest Middle School, 3400 88th St. NE
• Oct. 27, Oak Harbor, 6-8 p.m., Oak Harbor Library Community Meeting Room, 1000 SE Regatta Dr.

People who can’t make one of the in-person open houses can join the conversation through an online open house that will run from Oct. 12-Nov. 6 at MySnoIsleLibrary.publicmeeting.info.

Population growth in formerly rural areas may warrant the construction of additional libraries, said Director of Facilities Jeanne Crisp. Changes in services and people’s needs are also driving the district’s 10-year planning process, she added.

“The popularity of downloadable eBooks and movies means there is less need to store print books and DVDs,” Crisp said. “At the same time, many customers want access to public computers, printers and other technology; meeting rooms and study spaces; even small-business centers and maker-spaces.”

Community input will be used along with analysis of population and demographic trends and library usage to develop facilities recommendations. The final facility report will be presented to the Sno-Isle Libraries Board of Trustees in March. For more information, visit sno-isle.org/facplan.