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Wilson County Library Seeks $161,260 State Aid for Materials, Requests Major Capital Outlay
Summary
Library director Carrie Blanchard presented the Wilson County Public Library’s fiscal 2026 budget request, asking that the estimated $161,260 in state aid be earmarked for materials and seeking a large capital outlay that includes landscaping and new air handlers.
Carrie Blanchard, Wilson County Public Library director, told commissioners she is requesting that the library receive the full state aid allocation—an estimated $161,260—for the library’s materials budget for fiscal 2026.
Blanchard presented the library’s revenue and expenditure picture and highlighted several asks and accomplishments. “I would like to request that full amount go into our materials budget,” she said, adding that the library will also apply for state library grants to update its makerspace and pursue other private or state grant opportunities. She identified the library’s main recurring revenues as state aid, $12,000 projected fees from printing and copying, about $2,000 in lost-book penalties, and $9,100 in support from the Friends of the Library.
The director described planned capital requests and operational items. Capital outlay and improvements were listed at $894,287, which Blanchard said includes a landscaping project estimated at $44,000 and replacement air handlers for the main branch—quotes for which county staff member Ted Boswell helped obtain. She also requested $5,000 for staff training tied to an upcoming librarians’ conference, and noted ongoing costs for the automation/checkout system and subscriptions for e-resources.
Blanchard outlined programming and partnerships—children’s Wonderbooks, video-game programming in collaboration with the YMCA, the Libby e-resources app, a summer printed-flower mosaic project with ArtSpace (Durham), and a range of bookmobile stops including White Oak, Sims, Rock Ridge and appointments with community partners. She described local ordering practices (Baker & Taylor as the primary vendor; some items ordered via Amazon when not available through the vendor) and noted the bookmobile’s role in outreach.
Commissioners asked about interlibrary loan usage and the impact of extended hours. Blanchard said the library uses OCLC for interlibrary loan and that expanded hours have produced positive feedback and increased use. Deputy Manager Lori Winstead told commissioners she and Blanchard are monitoring East Wilson for potential property opportunities as the area grows.
The presentation included a request to continue and expand services that staff said have increased access, including a quiet study space, in-library tablets for children, Wonderbooks, and multiple new or reorganized book clubs. Blanchard said the library’s materials and e-resources strategy is intended to reduce wait times for popular titles by purchasing select e-content for local patrons.
No formal vote or action was taken; the presentation was part of the commission’s budget review process.
Looking ahead, Blanchard asked the county to consider the capital and landscaping requests and said the library will pursue grants to refresh makerspace equipment and support furniture replacement and strategic planning next year.
