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New library director warns federal funding uncertainty as county welcomes new Bruce Area Library director
Summary
Trevor Richards, the new director at Bruce Area Library, introduced himself to the board and warned that federal support tied to the Institute of Museum and Library Services is uncertain while staff there are on leave.
Trevor Richards, the newly appointed director of the Bruce Area Library, introduced himself to the Rusk County Board and briefed supervisors on library operations and a federal funding uncertainty tied to the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
Richards said he began as director on March 17 and thanked county officials for local support. He told the board the library is funded by three municipalities and receives county pass-through amounts based on municipal contributions.
At the federal level Richards said the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) — which provides grants and a roughly $200 million national appropriation that supports interlibrary loan, the Wisconsin Talking Book and Braille program, public-computer purchases, and rural connectivity efforts — had placed staff on leave in a recent action. Richards said Wisconsin typically receives about $3 million a year from IMLS that helps pay for statewide library services, and that uncertainty at IMLS could affect local services. He asked supervisors to note the possible need for greater local support if federal allocations are reduced.
Richards closed by thanking the board and noting libraries are preparing for summer reading and continuing services such as hotspots and database subscriptions that support remote and rural patrons.
