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Residents urge Virginia council to preserve public library funding amid budget talks
Summary
Residents and library staff told the City of Virginia council on Dec. 16 that proposed budget cuts would harm children, families and a wide array of community services; speakers delivered donations, described programs and asked councilors to prioritize stable hours and staffing.
Randy Landquist, a Virginia resident who addressed the council during the committee-of-the-whole budget meeting on Dec. 16, urged elected officials not to cut support for the Virginia Public Library, saying the branch’s size and range of services make it “a model for community libraries.” “Since July I have personally donated over $1,900 of new games to the Virginia library’s offering,” Landquist said, describing the library’s bike and helmet checkout, STEM kits and Minnesota State Parks pass program.
Crystal Macias, identified in the record as the youth services librarian, asked councilors to separate social-media misinformation from the budget decision and to consider the children who use library programs. “No one at the library is stating that the library is closing,” Macias told the council, and she added: “I speak for 4 year olds and 6 year olds and tweens and teens who don’t put money into this into the city, but they take our resources that are so vital to them.”
Alyssa Hicks, a parent who said she uses library services multiple times a week with her toddler, asked for clearer public access to budget numbers so residents who cannot attend morning meetings can understand the full fiscal picture. Council staff responded that budget documents are posted online and said staff could provide links and statute references by email.
The remarks came during a broader budget review in which councilors emphasized the difficulty of balancing taxpayer concerns with service continuity. Councilors thanked the speakers and acknowledged that potential reductions would affect programs and hours. The budget meeting was recessed to permit the committee-of-the-whole portion of the agenda to continue; councilors said the budget discussion will resume after that committee completes its items.
Next step: the council will continue deliberations on the city budget at upcoming meetings and will make any formal budget or levy decisions in accordance with posted agendas and legal notice requirements.
