As I write this, it’s still unclear whether the City of Renton will annex to the King County Library System. The results after two days of counting remain close, although initially those opposed to annexation felt disheartened.

For the last couple weeks, I’ve let the Question of the Week remain about the annexation issue. I wanted to see whether it was a good barometer of public sentiment. The jury was still out. But just maybe those who fervently opposed to annexation really did a good job of getting out the online vote.

In any case, I completely agree with what Library Board member Peter Hartley is saying about the next steps. If annexation happens, the board will hold KCLS’s feet to the fire. Everyone else should do the same. If it loses, then the city has a lot of work to do on its library system.