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Washington County Free Library seeks steady funding, plans to eliminate overdue fines
Summary
Library director Jenny Bacas presented FY25 usage statistics and asked for no county funding increase in FY27 while proposing a modest cost-of-living increase and elimination of overdue fines in July.
The Washington County Free Library presented its annual budget and service report to the County Commissioners on Jan. 28 and requested no increase in county funding for FY27 while proposing modest staff cost-of-living adjustments and elimination of overdue fines.
Executive Director Jenny Bacas said the system, which includes eight branches, two bookmobiles and two smart-locker sites, served roughly 382,600 visits in FY25, answered 41,346 reference questions and circulated more than 200,000 digital items. Bacas said 60% of county residents hold library cards, above the state average, and highlighted partnerships that distributed 5,250 Chromebooks to eligible households.
The FY27 request asks the county to maintain funding levels while the library implements changes such as removing overdue fines in July and continuing targeted staff pay adjustments. Bacas described expansions in adult programming, digital services, passport services (3,959 passports processed since 2016) and plans for a new Williamsport branch.
