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County libraries report rising usage, new programs and community partnerships
Summary
Directors from Emerson, Taber, Malvern and Glenwood told the board their libraries are expanding programming, increasing patron visits and using community partnerships to support summer reading and outreach. Emerson reported an approximate door count of 1,400 in a town of 402 and Malvern described a farmer's‑market program that returned $1,737 to vendors.
Representatives of several Mills County libraries briefed the Board of Supervisors on attendance, programming and community partnerships during the meeting.
West Stover, who said she helped start the Emerson Public Library, described the library as "the heartbeat of the town," reporting an approximate door count around 1,400 in a community of about 402 and noting a wide range of adult and children’s programs. She highlighted plans for summer activities and community engagement and thanked the board for support.
Dawn Miller (Lincoln Library and Vision Center, Taber) and Lisa Formholtz (Malvern Public Library) described successful programs, including summer reading and outreach partnerships. Formholtz recounted a farmer's‑market program that provided $10 envelopes to children and — she said — "put $1,737 back into the vendor's pockets" during the program. Library directors also discussed fundraising efforts, volunteer capacity and efforts to reach teens with new programming.
Laura Yosten (Glenwood Public Library) reported on recent program attendance, partnerships with the Mills County Museum and plans to use off‑site venues for evening events to reach new audiences. Board members praised the libraries’ community role and thanked staff and volunteers for their efforts.
Board response: supervisors expressed appreciation for libraries' program growth and affirmed continued county support. No formal funding changes were proposed at the meeting; libraries asked staff to follow up on any grant or calendar questions after the presentations.
