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Duluth Library Foundation urges preservation of services as city faces budget squeeze
Summary
The Duluth Library Foundation reported rising usage and said any cuts to library staffing or hours would disproportionately affect vulnerable residents; foundation leaders asked the council to sustain current funding while the city addresses a projected general‑fund deficit.
The Duluth Library Foundation told the City Council and public that library visits, checkouts and program attendance have risen and that the library is operating on a constrained, largely flat operations budget that cannot absorb cuts without reducing hours or services.
Erin Krieger, executive director of the Duluth Library Foundation, said the independent nonprofit has contributed more than $1,000,000 in gifts over the foundation’s history and now manages an investment account of about $2,500,000 to support the Duluth Public Library. She said the foundation funds programming, digital services such as Hoopla, certain technology assets, capital improvements and outreach efforts.
Krieger and other speakers cited usage numbers: in‑person visits rose about 9% from 2023 to…
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