Ashton’s Mills & Petrie Library seeks county support for senior programs and large‑print materials

Jill, representing the Mills & Petrie Library in Ashton, told the Lee County Finance Committee that the small library uses county funds to maintain services for older residents, including gym access, fitness classes and large‑print and audiobooks. The library serves a community of fewer than 1,000 people and also draws patrons from surrounding rural areas. Jill said the library operates a gym space open for walkers and hosts social events such as card nights; it has four part‑time staff members and reported an annual budget around $120,000 for the combined gym and library operations. Why it matters: small rural libraries provide social and wellness spaces for older residents and remote households; county support helps maintain hours, programing and updated collections for patrons who use large‑print and audio formats. Presenters said the library also generates revenue from nonresident dues, village tax support and facility rentals, and it receives occasional bequests that supplement operations. The committee thanked the presenter and noted the application will be considered in the broader allocation process; no immediate county action was taken that evening.