Port Washington library board warned federal cuts could force local service reductions; renovation bids due in late March

Port Washington Library Board members were told at their March 17 meeting that a recent federal executive order could eliminate most federal funding for libraries and museums, a change that presenters said would increase costs for local libraries and could force reductions in services if the state does not replace the money.

The report, delivered during the board’s regular meeting, said Wisconsin currently uses federal funds to support state library staff at the Department of Public Instruction and to support electronic resources such as BadgerLink and the Wisconsin Digital Library. Presenters told the board the system that serves Port Washington, Monarch Library System, provides key shared services including the integrated library system (the software that powers catalog searches), technical support, cataloging assistance, cooperative purchasing and a bookmobile program; losing federal support would raise the library’s local share from roughly $26,000 to a substantially larger amount unless the state intervenes.

Board members were also updated on the library’s building renovation, funded in part by a grant the city accepted and for which bids are currently out. Contractors attended a recent pre-bid meeting; presenters said bids are due the week following the meeting and a start date is tentatively targeted for early June, with some community-room work expected to continue through August or September. The board was told asbestos abatement is scheduled for April 15 and that the community room may be closed during that work.

Why this matters: the Monarch Library System coordinates services across multiple libraries; if federal support is cut and the state does not replace it, the increased costs could reduce shared services that lower operating expenses for smaller libraries such as Port Washington’s. The planned renovation will also temporarily close spaces and change programming locations and schedules for patrons, particularly children’s programs.

Key details from the meeting - Funding risk: Meeting presenters said the federal funding change would reduce money that Wisconsin uses to staff DPI library services (about a dozen positions were cited) and to fund statewide digital resources. The presenters estimated the Port Washington library’s current contribution to the system at roughly $26,000; if federal funding were eliminated, the total statewide pool exceeds $1 million, creating pressure on systems and local libraries. The board was told state action would be required to prevent service cuts. - System services: Staff described Monarch Library System services as providing the integrated library system software, tech support, cooperative purchasing, cataloging help and bookmobile service; losing those shared functions would require local libraries to purchase software and hire additional staff to maintain it. - Staffing: The board was told the library remains short-staffed for the children’s-services position; staff said recruitment has been difficult and they hope to fill the role imminently. - Building and renovation: The city signed the grant agreement and bids are out; a pre-bid meeting drew about 10 contractors. Bids are due the week after the meeting, and architects expect construction to begin in early June, starting on the main level and the study rooms, with community-room work continuing through August or September. Asbestos abatement is scheduled for April 15; the community room will be locked off during that work. - Usage trends and programs: Staff reported strong attendance at story time, steady use of digital materials (including more than 3,000 digital magazines in the shared collection) and increased Wi-Fi usage across system libraries. A seed library was noted as particularly popular this season.

Votes at a glance: the board approved routine items by voice vote, including the February meeting minutes, invoices for January and February and the February revenue and expense report. The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn.

What board members asked for and what comes next: board members pressed for examples of system services and the likely local cost implications if funding is lost; staff said they will monitor state and national advocacy efforts (including letter-writing campaigns noted by presenters) and return with updates. The board expects a contractor recommendation and a construction schedule at a future meeting after bids are opened.

Ending note: the board was reminded the Common Council meeting where the renovation and library updates will be presented is scheduled for April 7 at 6:30 p.m. in Common Council Chambers.