Crook County commissioners on Oct. 14 reviewed a draft core‑services description for the Crook County Library and discussed visitor and circulation trends, digital offerings and outreach to rural communities.

Will (staff member) opened the library portion of the special meeting and said the goal was to develop a common understanding of the library’s critical services while the county continues recruiting a new library director. "The mission of the library is to be a welcoming, resourceful anchor for community learning, enjoyment and inspiration," Will said.

Library staff summarized four core service areas: collections (physical and digital materials and interlibrary loan), technology and connectivity (public computers, digital‑skills help, digital collections such as Hoopla), programs and lifelong learning (story times, classes and cultural passes) and engagement and outreach (offsite services and partnerships to reach rural residents). Sarah (library staff) provided circulation and use figures: 131,179 physical items circulated last year, 41,689 digital circulations and 42,739 interlibrary‑loan requests outside the tri‑county region. Program attendance totaled 9,312 across 1,623 programs, and staff cited a goal of roughly 102,000 visitors for the fiscal year.

Bookmobile and outreach: Commissioners and staff discussed the county’s bookmobile. Will said the bookmobile has seen limited public engagement and is costly to maintain; staff reported the vehicle required about $20,000 in repairs last year and currently is not operable. A smaller van has been used for outreach outside Prineville. "I think this is a great opportunity time for us to explore what communities outside of Prineville want in terms of library services," Will said, adding the county will consider evolving outreach to match community needs.

Community room use and fees: Commissioners raised concerns about heavy wear on the library’s Broughton Room, including recently discarded tables and chairs. Some commissioners suggested introducing a refundable deposit, charging for non‑commercial private events, or enforcing existing cleaning fees. Library staff said the county currently charges a modest cleaning fee of up to $25 when extra cleaning is needed but acknowledged enforcement has been limited. "We do charge for commercial use," a staff member said; commissioners asked staff to return with options on fee schedules and damage‑control measures for the room.

Digital access and programs: Staff emphasized the library’s digital reach — a robust e‑library and Hoopla digital offerings — and encouraged stronger promotion so rural residents can access materials without a physical branch visit. Commissioners noted successful recent outreach events such as a veterans fair and a local job fair, and they praised staff continuity after the recent sudden resignation of the library director.

Discussion versus decision: The board’s review was informational. Staff will refine the core‑service descriptions and report back with options on outreach and facilities policies, including any proposed fee structures or operating plans for the bookmobile. No new ordinances, budget allocations or binding decisions were made at the Oct. 14 meeting.