Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Funding topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Director says consultant report on library structure sent to city and county; board warned of possible federal grant losses and bookmobile budget review
Summary
Library director Linda Black told the Flagstaff County Library Board that a consultant’s report on library structure and funding has been forwarded to city and county leadership. The board discussed risks from potential federal cuts to IMLS and LSTA funding and upcoming budget meetings that could affect the bookmobile.
Linda Black, the library director, told the Flagstaff County Library Board that a consultant's report on library structure and funding has been completed, reviewed by the steering committee and forwarded to city and county leadership for review.
"We do have a report from the consultant, and the steering committee has reviewed the full report. And now it has been sent on to the city and county leadership level," Black said, describing the next step in deciding whether recommendations will be edited or adopted.
Board members raised concerns about federal funding risks. In response to a question about whether the library might be affected by an executive order referenced in discussion, Black said eliminating federal support would have consequences. "Eliminating IMLS, Institute of Museum and Library Services would have impacts on us. And the other thing for us really is the LSTA grant funding. That's Library Services and Technology Act. That's certainly at risk of being eliminated," she said. Black added: "Right now, we're using it for our online materials. A third of our immaterial cost is budgeted through that." (Transcript text preserved as spoken.)
Supervisor Begay told the board that the bookmobile and related services were discussed at the county board meeting and that budget deliberations beginning in early May could require departments to make cuts. "We're going to be having budget meetings starting May 5... people all the departments have to give and take," Begay said, and asked the library group to make recommendations that best preserve services given road and distance considerations.
Board members asked whether the budget review sessions were open to the public; Begay said they were internal staff meetings for the time being and that bookmobile matters would be handled through the board process.
Black said the structure and funding report has been examined by the steering committee and is awaiting review by elected leadership before any public or board-level action is scheduled.
