Library director outlines restored federal funding, grant bids and makerspace plans

Michael Thompson, the library’s director, updated the board on grants, programming and equipment plans at the June 3 meeting.

Thompson said a recent American Library Association legal action restored federal library funding for fiscal year 2025 but cautioned that funding could change for fiscal year 2026 pending federal decisions. He confirmed staff applied for a technology grant to purchase additional Microsoft licenses for patron computers and a book‑wrapping machine; he also applied for a larger community grant that requested $42,000, including approximately $13,000 earmarked for staff salaries and interns. The library did not receive a central‑Utah health department e‑cigarette‑prevention grant this cycle, Thompson said, and he is following up with agency staff to improve future applications.

Despite that setback, Thompson outlined program plans that will proceed: a makerspace (button maker, screen‑printing kit, soldering and leatherwork tools), reserved game nights using a borrowed console, and a new teen 'skills night' series starting in July to rotate activities focused on physical, intellectual, social and emotional wellness. He reported several recent community outreach successes — roughly 240 attendees at the Scandinavian Festival and about 50 registrants at the library’s teddy‑bear picnic — and confirmed the library will host a color‑themed summer reading program with weekly events.

Thompson also reported the library hired four interns from Snow College (two international students) to support summer programming; interns will be subject to background checks as required. Staffing notes included that a recently hired clerk (Becca) will begin medical leave in June and the library may hire temporary help while working to reinstate the employee when feasible.