Residents and library staff urge restoration of Wilkes County library funding during budget hearing

Residents, library staff and volunteers told the Wilkes County Board of Commissioners on May 19 that cuts to library funding have reduced hours and strained workers, and they asked the Board to restore funding in the proposed 2026–2027 county budget.

Suzanne Manners, representing the library, said staff lost hours and management personnel have donated significant unpaid time. "They are five hours off of normal service hours with the funding they have now," she said, and requested a 3% increase over last year’s reduced funding to help restore hours and provide a small cost‑of‑living adjustment. Janina Shoemaker, a member of the Library Board and a long‑time resident, described the library’s programming — from genealogy services and lectures to children’s events and equipment checkout — and said the institution is a central community resource. Jennifer Johnson, the library’s circulation manager, said many residents rely on library Wi‑Fi and hotspot loans and warned that staff retention is at risk if pay remains low.

Chairman Hardin Kennedy and Interim Finance Director Zach Lovette provided line items and estimates during the hearing. Kennedy said last year’s total county allocation to the library was $741,938, with $708,838 for North Wilkesboro and $33,100 for the Traphill branch; the current budgeted amounts and the library’s request were discussed on the record. The public hearing on the proposed budget was then closed at 5:21 p.m.