FY2024 Proposed Budget

Recent Accomplishments:  The library went completely fine free in FY23, eliminating a significant barrier to accessing library services.  Staff increased patron engagement on the Bookmobile with visitors up 42% from FY22.  The Library Board created a letter in support of Intellectual Freedom affirming our community members’ rights to seek and receive information from all points of view without restriction.  Library material circulation is at pre-pandemic levels, lending over 1.2 million items in FY22.  Last year, over 23,000 people attended our 542 library and 213 outreach children’s events  The Library continued providing high quality library services as recognized by our reaccreditation by the State Library of Iowa Upcoming Challenges:  A flat budget request coupled with inflation means a reduction in public services offered and less purchasing power. This will affect all aspects of the library budget from heating the building, printing, programming, and purchasing library materials.  Meeting and responding to cybersecurity risks successfully.  Politicization of public library materials and programming, which requires staff time and resources to manage.

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