A library representative told the Weston County Commission the county library is operating under a budget shortfall and asked the commission to clarify whether it should reduce hours or close a branch.

The library speaker said the system had previously received a one‑time $60,000 supplement to cover retiree payouts and other costs but is now operating at roughly $320,000 for the year and faces recurring monthly expenses (including payroll) of about $26,000. The speaker said the library has gone from two full‑time employees to one full‑time and two part‑time employees and currently has no line item to purchase books.

"Do you want us to shorten library hours? Do you want us to close the library on certain days? Do you want us to get rid of the Upton branch library?" the speaker asked the commission. The speaker said main‑branch hours are 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday‑Friday and that the Upton branch is open roughly noon to 5 p.m.

The speaker described core services that would be affected if hours or branches are cut, including free public computer access, a no‑cost income tax preparation program and proctoring of college exams so students can test locally. The speaker also described the library as ‘‘the one place in the community that is free to patrons’’ and said reduced services would disproportionately affect residents without home internet or other resources.

The speaker asked whether the commission could provide additional funding if the library’s fiscal year allocation proves insufficient and requested an update on the county’s decision before the county’s budget hearing (the speaker referenced a July 14 budget hearing time noted in the meeting).

Commissioners and county staff discussed last year’s budget actions: the speaker said the library was told it would receive $291,957.97 as part of an agreement after an earlier request for $351,000, with an additional $60,000 later provided to cover retiree payouts. The library representative said some of last year’s funding was used to cover retiree payouts and that the library had previously removed growth requests from its budget because past increases were not funded.

The speaker urged the commission to be explicit about options if funding cannot be restored, and to tell library staff whether to plan for reduced hours or branch closures. The speaker said the library will provide attendance statistics and follow up with commissioners by email about the county’s final budget decisions.

The commission did not vote on funding during this meeting. The library speaker said the group would return to the commission if additional, unforeseen shortfalls require further requests.