Resident warns Coos County Library Service District budget could shrink small libraries' hours

At a May 20 public hearing, resident David Jennings told the Coos County Board of Commissioners he supports libraries but fears the Library Service District budget formula will reduce hours and services at small libraries.

"At the present time... for the next fiscal year, they're gonna cut their workers' time down to part time from full time," Jennings said, adding that further cuts could leave some libraries unable to operate effectively. He said reduced hours often lead to drops in circulation, making it harder for affected libraries to recover.

Jennings also said the Coquille library had sought an outside consultant to review options but that the consultant withdrew after the library offered to fund the review and "people within the system didn't really wanna talk to this woman or cooperate with her." He said a different consultant later reviewed the formula but, in his view, was less helpful.

The board closed the library budget hearing with no immediate action; the library service budget had previously been approved by the budget committee on April 8, 2025.

Why it matters: Small, rural libraries rely on staffing and hours to provide services such as circulation and community programs; residents warned that formula-driven cuts can create a downward cycle of reduced use and further funding pressure.

Details: Jennings said Coquille may already have reduced staff to part-time and that further reductions could substantially curtail open hours and services. He referenced past votes in Coos Bay (2022 and November 2024) as context for wider pressures on library funding and credibility.

Next steps: The board closed the public hearing and moves on to consideration of other budgets; any formal appeals or budget changes would be handled through the library district or in subsequent board actions.