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Library director urges county to consider predictable increase after 16-year funding gap
Summary
Sherman County library leaders told commissioners the library's budget has not increased since 2010 and asked the county for a more predictable annual allocation to cover rising digital services, programming and facility needs; commissioners said they will review options during budget work sessions.
Library representatives told the Sherman County Board of Commissioners that the library has not received a budget increase since 2010 despite rising demand for digital services, programming and meeting-room use that serves county residents and out-of-town visitors.
"We've been getting the 30,000 for the last, I think, 3 years or so, and that seems to work fine," a library presenter said, describing how state matching and county contributions have been used. The presenter asked the county to consider a predictable annual allocation or other guarantee to help planning and cover increasing costs for digital subscriptions, books and maintenance.
Why this matters: The library provides a range of free services used by residents who lack alternatives for internet access, printing, reference help and children's programming. Library staff said digital subscriptions and technology support are rising line items and that local demand—both in-person and digital—has increased.
Board discussion focused on options to examine the library's request during budget work sessions. Commissioners noted past annual donations (a county contribution the board referred to as $25,000) and said staff would look into whether a set annual allocation could be considered in upcoming budget planning.
Library staff also described facility needs, including a request for a new surveillance system and a replacement for a broken copy/fax machine the library uses to provide public services. The presenter said the library also provides meeting space used by other agencies and community services.
The board did not commit to a specific dollar increase at the meeting but told the library representatives they would review the request during budget planning.
