Laurie Barnes, director of First Regional Library, briefed the Tunica County Board of Supervisors on Monday and asked the board to provide level funding of about $280,000 for fiscal year 2026 to preserve current hours and programming across Tunica County library branches.

Why it matters: Local funding supports operating hours, public-computer access and youth programming used by thousands of county residents.

Barnes provided system statistics: Tunica County libraries welcomed 22,986 visitors in the past year and checked out 18,923 items. She also reported systemwide service numbers for all 14 libraries: during June the system served more than 62,000 visitors across all branches; systemwide programming included 252 total programs with 4,355 total program attendees and 2,489 youth program attendees (the transcript uses the word "grama" in places that staff clarified verbally as "programs"). Barnes asked the board for level funding of approximately $280,000 for FY2026 to maintain current service levels and hours.

Board members acknowledged the report. The transcript records the request; the board did not take an immediate funding vote in the session.

What’s next: The library’s funding request will be considered as part of the county’s FY2026 budget process; no appropriation was approved at the meeting.