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Residents urge Cabarrus commissioners to protect and expand county libraries
Summary
Multiple library volunteers and trustees told the board during public comment that library branches are at capacity, especially for children's programming and services for homeschool families, and asked the county to prioritize library funding and facility expansion during the budget process.
Three speakers representing library friends groups and volunteers urged the board to maintain or increase funding for county library services and to consider expanded facilities in Harrisburg and Midland.
Marsha Morris described libraries as community hubs that support homeschooling families and early literacy, asking commissioners to remember libraries in the budget process. Julianne Hoffman, vice president of the Friends of the Harrisburg Library, said the Harrisburg branch has only 11% of county library staff but accounts for a much larger share of program attendance and is at capacity for children's programming; she requested expansion or a new building. Jessica Pasek (Friends of the Midland Library) described Midland's rented 2,000‑square‑foot branch, its growth in program attendance and about 2,046 active card holders, and urged the board to consider a stand‑alone building to make services equitable across the county.
Speakers asked for stable funding to preserve and expand services; commissioners acknowledged the requests and noted library programming and joint facility partnerships in subsequent reports.
