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Carroll County Libraries Seeking Increase In Funding

Representatives from each library in Carroll County came forward yesterday (Monday) to discuss funding and budgetary needs for the next fiscal year with the Carroll County Board of Supervisors. Directors, Faye Seidl of Coon Rapids, Erin Wolf of Glidden, Linda Mulbauer of Manning and Brandie Ledford of Carroll discussed circulation growth as well as an increase in program offerings and participation. Ledford outlined some of the most used items.

In addition to the physical products they offer, all library directors said virtual circulation through their databases has become a valuable offering, one that Seidl says showcases libraries as 24/7 entities. Ledford said they are really now a blend of physical and virtual spaces and it is an ideal situation to offer patrons both options.

She said in Carroll, they have recorded circulation of over 130,000 print items versus only 8,000 in digital, but people are still asking for both. These offerings cost money, and Seidl told the board that Carroll County funding is not at the level of the state average, particularly as seen in bordering counties. Last year, Carroll County support totaled $75,877, coming in at $17.03 per capita, while the average of surrounding counties reported was $29.21 per capita. The directors requested the Supervisors look at increasing the budget by 10 percent to help offset the costs of available programs as well as those Mulbauer and Ledford said are being requested more and more often.

The directors presented these details for the board to evaluate as they continue to work on budget planning for fiscal year 2016/17.

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