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Northwest Regional Library and Cooperative Extension request modest budget support and introduce new staff

Surry County Board of Commissioners · March 17, 2026
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Summary

Library leaders and Cooperative Extension representatives introduced new staff and asked the board to reasonably fund current services, including a requested 2.5% cost-of-living increase for staff and preparation for an expected insurance premium increase of about 13%. The library reported growing circulation, digital services and community programming.

Representatives from the Northwest Regional Public Library and the North Carolina Cooperative Extension spoke during the meeting's open forum about staffing, programs and a modest budget request.

Joanna Radford, director of the Cooperative Extension, introduced Abigail Moore as the county's new EFNEP adult educator. Moore said she is from Surry County and looks forward to connecting with local families. "My name is Abigail Moore. I'm from Surry County... I'm excited to join the team over at the extension office," she said.

Northwest Regional Public Library representatives described staffing turnover, new branch leadership and increasing program usage. Emily Morgan, introduced as the new branch manager in Pilot Mountain, said she aims to expand programs and community engagement. Library leadership said their budget request seeks to "reasonably fund our current services" and allow limited growth; they asked for a 2.5% cost-of-living increase for staff and noted an estimated 13% increase in insurance premiums for the regional system once final rates are set.

Officials highlighted services including VITA free tax assistance (booked through April 15), North Star digital-literacy resources, author visits and expanded meeting-room availability funded in part through Invest in Surry grants. They asked commissioners to consider a National Library Week proclamation and offered to provide any further details the board requests.

Commissioners thanked staff and noted the requests will be considered during the upcoming budget process.