Pratt Public Library seeks modest county increase, cites hunger and outreach programs

Representatives for the Pratt Public Library presented the board with a proposed 2026 budget and asked the county for a 1% increase to the library’s county appropriation, saying the modest boost would help sustain staff and local services.

Speaking at the dais, Eric (library presenter) said the library had operated on a flat county budget since 2023 and that the library recently received additional salary support from Kansas State University earmarked for agent salaries. He said the request to the county this year is limited to a 1% increase in the county appropriation.

Eric outlined several library programs that he said serve food-insecure children and expand community access. He described the “Bookworm Bistro,” a partnership funded by a $10,000 Elks National grant (three grants of $10,000 were awarded nationally; the library received one) that provides lunches on weekdays when school is not in session. He told the board the program had been able to “kick start” coverage of a three-week gap between the end of a federal lunch program and the start of school.

Eric reported program metrics: at the end of the prior year the library distributed 3,099 pounds of apples and “hundreds of pounds” of other foods; the library’s discovery passes—used for visits to attractions such as Tanganyika and the Cosmosphere—had 437 uses at the end of last year and were “over 900” at the time of the meeting. He also described a bilingual outreach program with Monday-night English classes for nonnative speakers and an after-school partnership with Blythe Fitness that grew from about five students to hundreds over recent years (Eric cited 851 participants in the first partner year and 948 the following year, and said this year’s numbers had already topped that).

Eric said the library provides free services for most offerings and relies on community partners to expand capacity. He noted one staffer is full time and another is a part-time/temporary office professional paid by the extension council rather than the county; that temporary employee plans to leave for graduate school. He also said the library had placed books in the local jail and offered a program to give a discharged person a free copy of an introductory book.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions and staff confirmed they had copies of prior budgets (2023–25) for review. No formal action was taken at the meeting; the library’s budget request will be considered during the county’s budget process.