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Weiss Library reports rising program attendance and fundraising; LCO library outlines grants and services
Summary
Weiss Library told the Sawyer County Board its program attendance and library visits rose, though physical circulation dipped; the director said $40,000 was withdrawn from savings to meet the budget and outlined fundraising and capital plans. LCO library director Carol Pap described grant funding including a $10,000 IMLS basic grant and a $144,000 enhancement grant.
The Weiss Library director told the Sawyer County Board that while physical-circulation numbers fell slightly, total checkouts including e-materials increased and program attendance rose sharply.
The director reported program attendance grew from about 4,600 last year to just over 6,200 this year, and children’s program registrations rose from 98 to 107 with attendance up from about 2,600 to 3,800. The library’s director said visits and meeting-room use have increased and that many patrons attend programs rather than borrow physical items.
On finances, the director said the library met budget but withdrew $40,000 from library savings to cover expenses (the director said the full shortfall might have required ~$46,000). The library also reported a 2022 building loan of $25,830.20, with $14,499.20 repaid and a remaining balance of $11,331. The director described steps to earn more interest on held funds — moving operating balances into a money-market account and placing longer-term building funds into a certificate of deposit — and outlined upcoming fundraisers including a July Jubilee race and a Celebrate Your Library event on June 13 to support maintenance and programming.
Carol Pap, director of the LCO library, introduced her facility to the board and described funding sources. Pap said the LCO library (established in 1992 at the LCO university campus) holds roughly 34,000 items, serves academic and public users, participates in the Northern Waters network, and receives primary funding from the university. She said the LCO library currently holds an Institute of Museum and Library Services Native American basic grant for $10,000 and a two-year $144,000 enhancement grant to support community programming, staffing and a digitization initiative.
County board members asked procedural questions about board appointments to the Weiss Library board; the director said the board is considering adding two county-appointed members as allowed by chapter 43 and explained the county’s role in appointing or approving those positions.
