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Douglas County Library reports rising digital circulation, volunteer growth and stable FY2026 ask
Summary
Library Director Tim DeGelder and Library Board Chair Jermaine Marco told the board that circulation—especially digital—has grown, volunteer hours rose and the library seeks no supplemental FY2026 funding while maintaining programs and outreach.
Tim DeGelder, Douglas County Library director, and Library Board Chair Jermaine Marco presented the library’s FY2026 budget and performance measures, telling commissioners the system is not requesting supplemental funding but is managing increased use and expanding outreach programs.
DeGelder reported 68% of residents have active cards (used within two years) and total circulation—including digital and interlibrary loan—has risen markedly. He said e‑circulation grew from roughly 38,000 to about 57,900, and interlibrary loans numbered about 1,300. Program attendance and community use remain robust: 72,000 door‑counts, about 6,400 children’s program attendances, 580 teen participants, 1,200 adult program attendances and 243 bookmobile stops. The library also recorded 1,500 volunteer hours after rebuilding volunteer engagement following COVID reductions.
DeGelder described new and expanding services: a legal kiosk at the Minden law library (state library provided), continuation of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library partnership (more than 500 family signups and 4,500 books delivered), seven tiny‑free library boxes around town, expanded teen services with a teen room, virtual‑reality and gaming offerings and a winter‑reading program that distributed quilts as prizes. He noted the library operates two branches and a bookmobile, and that the Friends of the Library and other nonprofits underwrite programs and fundraising events such as an October gala.
Budget officials emphasized they are not seeking new general‑fund increases. The library’s FY2026 request is balanced against PALS sales‑tax allocations and existing gift fund activity. DeGelder said the facility requires routine maintenance and prioritized modest capital work (bathroom work cited), but no major capital request is pending this year.
Commissioners praised the library’s outreach and programs; one commissioner asked about digital purchasing and how the library decides which e‑copies to license. DeGelder said e‑book pricing varies and the library balances formats (paper, large print, audio and digital) based on demand and budget; digital checkouts are costed per‑use when licensing limits apply.
