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United Way coalition urges countywide free library cards for children
Summary
Heather Crockett of United Way of Northern Utah told the mayor council the Box Elder Early Childhood Coalition surveyed residents and is urging expanded, lower-cost library access for children outside Brigham City, citing survey results, budget shortfalls and local examples of free access in neighboring cities.
Heather Crockett, chair of the Box Elder Early Childhood Coalition and an employee of United Way of Northern Utah, presented survey results and asked the mayor council to consider ways to expand library-card access for children who live outside Brigham City.
“The idea is that if we can get everybody to help the kids read, talk, and play everyday, they will get ready in time for kindergarten,” Crockett told the council. She said the coalition surveyed 153 people; more than 95% called access to library books for children in outlying areas “very important,” and just over 50% said they would support an additional property tax to provide library-card access countywide.
Crockett outlined how library funding is split: Brigham City property taxes pay for the Brigham City Library while property taxes outside the city pay for a bookmobile. She said the Brigham City Library’s collection is about 60,000 items and its budget is “almost a million dollars.” By contrast she said Tremonton’s collection is about 9,000 items but Tremonton offers free library cards to all Box Elder County residents. Garland also provides free cards to county residents, Crockett said.
Crockett said the coalition estimated a shortfall of roughly $319,000 to cover bookmobile-area access if the county were to equalize service for all residents. She said nonresident annual library-card fees currently run about $60 in Brigham City and may rise to $100; some residents instead use Weber County libraries, which charge $30 a year, or Tremonton’s free access.
Council members and Crockett discussed alternatives including targeted grants for low-income families, educating residents about limited-use student cards tied to enrollment in Brigham City schools, and continuing petition and outreach work. Crockett said the coalition distributed 5,000 free books at summer meal sites this year and is collecting signatures on a petition; she said the county commissioners have invited further conversation once the group reaches about 1,000 signatures.
Crockett emphasized equity and early-childhood literacy in closing. “All children need free access to books,” she said.
The council did not take formal action on library policy during the meeting; Crockett asked the council to consider public information steps and possible local funding or grant strategies as next steps.
