Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Libraries topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Hayward-area libraries report rising digital use, busy summer programs and tight budgets
Summary
Directors from the Winter Public Library and the Sherman & Ruth Weiss Community Library told the board about strong summer programming and tourism‑era foot traffic, rising digital circulation, fundraising events, and near‑term maintenance costs including a new air conditioner and pier repairs.
Two local library directors reported summer programming, visitor use and budget considerations to the Sawyer County Board.
Donna Naki, director of the Winter Public Library, said in-person circulation of physical materials is down from last year but digital circulation through Libby has increased. She described week‑by‑week summer programming for children and said the library leverages major summer events — including the July 3–4 Jubilee — for fundraising. Naki said the library is budgeting with no increase in county funding projected but is relying on fundraising to meet some expenses.
Sherman & Ruth Weiss Community Library Director Anne Larson reported strong attendance at summer events, recent capital and maintenance costs and fundraising successes. Larson said the library raised about $4,000 from a “Celebrate Your Library” day and that summer reading registrations were over 305 people this year versus 247 last year. She reported an air‑conditioner purchase that will cost about $7,000 and an independent pier/bridge maintenance estimate near $11,000; the library is exploring reserve funds, volunteer labor and grant sources to cover unexpected maintenance.
Both directors emphasized the role libraries play for tourists and residents — a place to access Wi‑Fi, programs and materials on rainy weekends — and noted digital services carry direct costs that state library funding formulas do not fully recognize. No formal county funding decisions were made at the meeting.
