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Lake Region Public Library reports building improvements, higher use and grant revenues for 2024
Summary
Library director reported completion of interior painting, new HVAC installation and increased program participation and circulation in 2024; grant funding and foundation support covered capital costs.
Lake Region Public Library Director Maddie Sharp told the Ramsey County commission the library completed several capital projects in 2024, saw increases in visits and circulation, and used grant and foundation funds to cover major costs.
Sharp said the library fully repainted its interior, installed motorized blinds in the community room and replaced the HVAC system at a total cost of about $56,000; the Lake Region Public Library Foundation contributed $11,800 toward the HVAC work. The director said the library expects roughly a 30% decrease in monthly electricity costs as a result of the HVAC replacement.
Sharp said the library hosted more programs and participants in 2024 than in 2023, reporting nearly 232 programs and nearly 5,000 program attendees for the year. She said active cardholders, yearly visitors and circulation (digital and physical) all increased from the prior year. The library also reported receiving grant funds: nearly $18,000 from the North Dakota State Library vision grant program and $20,000 from the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction to support the summer-reading program and other services.
Sharp asked the commission to note the shift in funding sources for 2024: while county levies remain the library's primary funding source, state grants and private donations covered a larger share of capital expenses in 2024 than in previous years. Commissioners asked clarifying questions about the timing of foundation contributions and whether year-end totals showed the library in deficit; Sharp said the foundation contribution arrived in 2025 and covered the ledger timing difference.
The director also said the Lake Region Public Library Foundation is forming a friends-of-the-library group and is working on small-donor programs and fundraisers to support future projects.
