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Sawyer County moves county library plan to county board amid federal grant uncertainty
Summary
Library directors reported rising program use and potential federal funding cuts from the Institute of Museum and Library Services; the committee voted to forward the county library plan and resolution to the county board for approval.
Library directors updated the committee on usage, programs and funding risks and the committee voted to forward the county library plan and adopting resolution to the full county board.
Don Anucky, director of the Winter Public Library, reviewed the library's monthly programming, recent fundraising and an ongoing strategic-plan update with UW-Extension. "We have school classrooms coming down to the library for programming, and then we also have the after school program using the library for programming provided by our staff," Anucky said, describing outreach and partnerships that support local services.
Anne (last name not specified), director of the Hayward Public Library, said cardholders and visits had increased and summarized capital needs, equipment upgrades and plans for a community event to highlight library services. She also outlined a joint meeting of the library board, the foundation board and Friends of the Library to address a budget shortfall and community fundraising.
Catherine (last name not provided), director of Northern Waters Library Service, briefed the committee on unfolding federal developments affecting grants. "As of right now ... all of the staff at IMLS was laid off, which means that these grants that our libraries and my library system rely on potentially will not continue to be given out," Catherine said. She noted 19 states, including Wisconsin, had filed suit to challenge a federal decision; she warned the outcome could reduce services such as interlibrary loan and state library staff support.
Committee members noted the county must have an adopted county library plan to remain a member of Northern Waters Library Service. After discussion the committee approved a motion to forward the plan and a resolution to the county board for final approval. The motion to move the resolution to the county board was made by Randy Newman, seconded by Stacy Hessel, and carried on a voice vote.
Outcome: resolution to adopt County Library Plan moved to county board for approval (voice vote; tally not specified).
