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York County Library asks council to fund needs assessment as system grows
Summary
Library leaders asked the council to approve a modest needs assessment (roughly $33,000'$35,000) to guide location and facility planning amid population growth and to support FY2026 operating needs including materials, programming and small capital items.
Library Director Julie Ward and board members briefed the council on system use, programs and a request to fund a formal library needs assessment.
Key points: The York County Library system reported high circulation, robust daily programming and year-over-year increases in visits. Director Ward said the previous assessment proposal (3'4 years ago) estimated a community needs study at roughly $33,000'$35,000 and that the system seeks county support to determine where additional branches or service improvements should be located to match population growth.
Why it matters: Library officials said York County is underbuilt compared with population and that strategic facility planning is needed to identify priorities'for example, expanded service in Fort Mill/Elizabeth area and Clover'and whether to reconfigure existing Baxter-building space or expand mobile services such as bookmobile routes.
Operating budget highlights: Library staff said they are not requesting a millage increase and will propose modest salary and materials funding adjustments. The board said staff count will remain roughly flat, with planned increases in materials purchasing and program spending.
Next steps: Trustees are forming a strategic planning committee; if the committee recommends a needs assessment the board will return to council with scope and cost for approval.
Ending: Director Ward asked council to consider library facilities and programming investments as the county grows.
