Story County libraries reiterate 5% funding request, outline countywide services

Directors from Story County’s public libraries told the Story County Board of Supervisors on Feb. 4 that they are asking the county to support a 5% budget increase and outlined how county funding supports services across all 11 branches.

Library directors made the request during a budget work session attended by Supervisors Lisa Heddams and Linda Merkin, county staff and local library leaders. They said county support is critical to sustaining in‑person and digital services that reach residents from infants through seniors.

The library directors said the 5% request is aimed at preserving core services and expanding digital collections and countywide programs. “We reach a lot of people and we are meaningful, like from every birth to seniors, and everyone needs that…free resource, that access to information,” said Sheila Schoffer, director of the Ames Public Library.

Directors described recent and planned spending that they say benefits county residents: facility repairs and remodels, increased programming and outreach at community events, staff training, and initiatives such as home‑delivery services for patrons who cannot visit branches. Cambridge Memorial Library and others reported building upgrades completed last year; Ames reported a carpet project that finished ahead of schedule.

Library leaders said the county’s revised distribution formula has made funding more equitable among branches. County staff indicated some payments for the current year have already been delivered; one supervisor said recipients had received roughly half the allocation while the remainder will be distributed before the next fiscal cycle. Officials did not provide a detailed timetable in the session for the remaining payments.

Supervisors and library directors discussed accreditation, trustees’ joint meetings and board training opportunities, including planned sessions on artificial‑intelligence tools for trustees. Directors also noted volunteer and staff roles in delivery programs that take books and materials to daycare centers, nursing homes and homebound patrons.

There was no formal vote or action during the work session; the presentations were part of the budget review process. County staff and library directors said they will follow up, and supervisors asked staff to confirm distribution details and timing.

The library directors requested the county’s continued support as they prepare budget requests for the coming fiscal year, citing rising demand for digital resources and public programs in both larger towns such as Ames and smaller communities including Cambridge, Maxwell, Slater and Nevada.