Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Library Services topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council approves $249,548.66 from library reserves for bookmobile
Summary
The Mishawaka Penn Harris Public Library won council approval to use existing reserve and rainy-day funds totaling $249,548.66 to purchase a bookmobile that will serve day cares, preschools, senior centers and underserved neighborhoods; council confirmed no new county appropriation was requested and passed the measure 9–0.
The St. Joseph County Council on Aug. 13 approved Bill 79-24 allowing the Mishawaka Penn Harris Public Library to use $249,548.66 from its improvement reserve and rainy-day funds to purchase a bookmobile.
Jennifer Ludwig, director of patron services, told the council the library had the funds already accounted for and was not requesting additional county funding. "This is money that we already have accounted for," Ludwig said, adding the system had not requested an additional appropriation since 2019. She described the bookmobile's intended service to day cares, preschools, senior centers and underserved neighborhoods.
Council members sought clarification for the public record that the appropriation was a reallocation from library-controlled funds and not new county spending. After a motion by the president and a second, the council approved the bill by a recorded roll call vote of 9–0.
Next steps: The library may proceed with procurement and implementation using the appropriated reserves.
