Library Association asks Winnebago County for $23,000 per branch amid rising costs

A representative of the Library Association asked the Winnebago County Board of Supervisors to increase annual county funding to $23,000 per library for fiscal year 2027, up from $20,000 in the current year, citing rising costs for electronic resources and replacement of a national book jobber.

The speaker told the board that digital services such as the Libby/OverDrive platform and a state-provided test-preparation service called Mometrix have become popular and cost money to maintain. The libraries lost Baker & Taylor, a nationwide book jobber, and the representative said that replacement purchasing options may not carry the same discounts; staff estimated some titles may rise from about $15 to $25'and large-print or audiobooks can be substantially more.

"As you can see, they're asking for 23,000 per library, which is an increase of what we've been receiving," the library representative said. The representative also detailed day-to-day services, computer access and local uses of audiobooks on CD that serve residents without digital access.

Supervisors asked questions about alternatives and whether the libraries could rely on other digital platforms; the representative said library e-books and magazines are downloadable to phones, tablets and computers. Board members also asked about a separate proposal to relocate one library branch to a college; the speaker said the city council had tabled that request and that many local patrons had said they opposed moving a branch because of parking and accessibility concerns.

The board did not take immediate action on the funding request at the meeting and said they would consider it during budget deliberations. The library representative thanked the board for the opportunity to present.