Resident tells Great Falls trustees library outreach falls short and questions need for expansion

Richard Irving, a Great Falls resident and library cardholder, used the meeting's public-comment period to criticize the board's outreach and to question the need for large-scale construction or expansion. Irving said the library website is difficult to navigate for meeting information and argued that changing technology and reading habits have reduced library use outside of children and unhoused populations.

Irving also criticized the American Library Association's approach to homelessness in libraries, alleging that homeless patrons are tolerated in part to maintain usage statistics and that such an atmosphere discourages other residents from visiting. He expressed frustration with board members' conduct at a prior meeting, saying they appeared more focused on refreshments than on library issues and concluding, "the board is not doing anything for the library." Irving said resources should prioritize essential infrastructure such as HVAC and electrical improvements rather than large-scale expansion, adding that the proposed direction "makes no sense." The board heard the comment; there was no formal response recorded in the transcript.

Earlier, the board approved the meeting agenda by unanimous vote of members present and later adjourned at 3:46 p.m. The public comment was recorded but did not produce a formal board action during the session.