Library director reports 2018 budget cuts reflect the need for voter approval of levy

To cover funding shortfalls in 2018, the library has frozen staff wages, trimmed book and online materials by 20 percent and eliminated costs in every place possible.

“This year our goal was to cut the budget areas that least affected our library users. Frankly, there are no good choices if further cuts are required,” Library Director Kristie Kirkpatrick said.

The library's funding bind is the reason for a proposal to return its tax levy of 50 cents per $1,000 which will be on the Feb. 13 ballot.

Kirkpatrick reported that over the past 10 years attendance at library classes and programs for th...