Library director presents new five-year plan and annual survey as part of accreditation review

Wendy presented the Carroll City Library's annual survey and a fresh five-year plan required for state accreditation, telling the council the plan draws on state data and local community surveys and will cover two accreditation cycles.

She said the library saw increases in downloadable materials, program offerings and in-person visits between fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2024. Staff replaced several out-of-date computers this year so they did not request additional computer replacement funding for FY26, but Wendy asked for two new printers as capital outlay.

Wendy reviewed revenues: state direct-aid that is based on loans to outside libraries, township contracts with seven other towns in Carroll County, and county contributions. She said Carroll County's payment timing created a one-time misstatement in FY24 (a $7,000 catch-up payment that made FY24 appear higher), and noted the county contribution to Carroll City specifically was $40,000 for the prior year; Wendy said the county's allocation processes vary and that the library presents a request for county support.

The library also plans to increase spending from its trust fund for books, programs and supplies, moving $66,000 into the trust fund this year while reducing services-and-commodities spending by $9,000 in the operating budget.

Why this matters: accreditation requires a five-year plan and the city funds most library operations through the general fund; changes in county contributions affect local spending choices. Wendy said the library is mostly staffed but noted an incoming adult-services librarian will fill an open slot next week.

What happens next: the council may incorporate the library requests into the overall budget; staff said any changes will be included in later council budget discussions and in the public hearings on the levy and budget.