The Washington County Public Library Association, consisting of the Kalona, Washington and Wellman libraries, asked the county Board of Supervisors Tuesday for a 14 percent increase in county …
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The Washington County Public Library Association, consisting of the Kalona, Washington and Wellman libraries, asked the county Board of Supervisors Tuesday for a 14 percent increase in county funding. The figure would raise the per capita funding by 91 cents from the current $5.68 to $6.59. The average per capita funding in the 13-county area is $6.03.
In total money, to be distributed among the three libraries, the group sought an increase of $4,600 for a rise from the current $40,000 to $46,600.
In making the presentation, Anne Skaden, Kalona library director, said increased use of the Kalona library has brought a need for more funding.
Because of the “great year” at the library, there is a need to increase staff. The library is staffed by only one person at a time, said Skaden, something that has caused lengthy waits for service.
Holly Huffman, the Wellman-Scofield librarian, said additional funds would help the Wellman library to have more consistent hours.
The county provides funding to the libraries because of their use by rural county residents. This year, county resident use of the Kalona library hit a record high.
Funds have also helped with adding to collections, including CD ROMS, rotated among the three libraries. Skaden said use of the CDs has become very popular.
Board Chairman Robert Stout said that the board will attempt to get the additional funds into the next budget.
In other business, the board:
•learned that the archways on the south and west side of the county courthouse are in need of repair. According to Auditor Wendy Heck there is approximately $713,000 that remains in the county’s capital fund with more than half the fiscal year remaining. Through November, $896,316 had been spent on the courthouse renovations, noted Heck.
Supervisor Virginia Bordwell suggested that the county set half of the costs of restoring the arches in this year and half in the next fiscal year. She further suggested that $125,000 be spent in each year. Motion died for lack of a second with action tabled to another meeting.
