FY25 Proposed Budget

Recent Accomplishments:  Developed a new three-year strategic plan that represents the Iowa City community and its needs.  Conducted a space audit to ensure library facilities are adequate to provide current and future services.  35,000 people attended children’s programming offered at the library and outreach events.  Over 1.2 million items, including books, digital materials, and DVDs, were checked out by our community last year.  Updated the large community meeting room with a hearing loop system that broadcasts the microphone directly to hearing aids, making our programming more accessible for individuals with hearing loss.  Added Cricut Maker and tracing light pad to the equipment in the Digital Media Lab, providing more opportunities for community members to create.  Replaced public faucets with updated sensors to respond more effectively to all skin tones.  Worked with the City of Iowa City to add a handrail to the southwest entrance, enhancing public safety when entering the library.  Partnered with the University of Iowa to offer a student volunteer program assisting older adults with technology questions (Device Advice).  Staff presented at the annual American Library Association conference on assisting patrons with low-vision on how to use accessibility options to access library digital collections.  Updated all the clocks with functional, synchronized units.  Championed our core value of intellectual freedom by holding a reception for Johnson County legislators on the topic and a public Freedom to Read event, celebrating everyone’s opportunity to read what they choose.  The Board of Trustees crafted a letter explaining how changes to the State’s Library Commission will impact library services.  Library director completed the Tippie College of Business Executive Leadership Program. Upcoming Challenges:  Recent changes to property tax legislation removed the city’s library levy, reducing dedicated funding to library services.  Limited budget growth coupled with inflation means a reduction in public services offered and less purchasing power, which impacts all aspects of the library budget from heating the building, printing, programming, and purchasing library materials.  Strict digital rights and excessive pricing set by publishers requires a significant portion of library collections staff time and funds to maintain services.  Meeting and responding to cybersecurity risks successfully.  Continued polarization of public library materials and programming, which requires staff time and resources to manage.

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