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Library patrons make case pending likely budget cuts
by Gregory R. Norfleet · News · November 15, 2023
After hearing the annual library report, the West Branch City Council last week heard residents share support for the department in the face of possible budget cuts.
West Branch Public Library Director Becky Knoche told the council that when residents borrow instead of buy what the library offers, they saved $481,000 in the past year.
The library saw more than 15,200 visits in the previous 12 months, with 5,256 attendees at 284 programs.
The shelves carry more than 15,700 items, including about 1,100 new items and 600 fewer older or less-used items. Through subscriptions, the WBPL also offers access to more than 148,000 digital items, from books to movies to audiobooks.
Patrons got on library computers about 1,900 times and tapped into Wifi more than 3,100 times.
The WBPL also finished, with the help of the public works department, a multi-year landscaping project that provides a place for visitors to sit outside.
“It is not anything like we envisioned it to be but it is doing the same job,” Knoche said.
The public works department graded, reseeded, and leveled the outdoor space, and cleaned out gutters which caused erosion and sinkholes on the property.
Knoche dedicated part of her report to crediting Bethany Lutheran Church for replacing a large patch of stained carpet tiles, repotting plants, cleaning the children’s area, and jacking up a storage shed as part of its annual Service Day projects.
“It was an immense help to the library,” she said.
Knoche said the sinkholes caused the storage shed to tip forward.
She said the Lions Club is in the process of cleaning exterior windows and planning to replace scuffed vinyl tiles.
“If you see any of those people out and about, make sure you give them a ‘thank you,’” the director said.
She reminded the council that a space needs report remains unchanged. The library’s 5,000 square feet should, due to the population it serves, be expanded to 9,000 square feet at minimum and 13,500 s.f. for optimum use. On average, similar towns have libraries around 11,000 to 12,000 s.f.
She said the library also wants to install an outdoor charging port for electronics.
In addition to pointing out how much residents save from using library services, Knoche included a list of hats librarians wear to help residents: technology expert and trainer, information detective, marketing professional, literacy expert, graphic designer, event planner, reader’s advisor, storyteller, teacher, book/movie reviewer, fundraiser, delivery driver, manager, and role model.
Knoche then introduced “a few of my friends” who shared their views on “the value of the library.”
They referenced Knoche’s report and talked about the “tough decisions” facing the council.
The council is facing a possible slowdown in budget increases and feeling pressure to make greater investments to rebuild its police department. To that end, it is considering cutting the library’s $275,500 budget by $70,000, a reduction of about 25 percent.
Resident Faye Goodspeed, a volunteer and retired middle school and community college teacher, recently moved here from Tucson. She listed three “major” benefits of the WBPL:
1. A strong and positive influence and impact on children that “trickles up” to parents.
2. A warm, safe and inviting environment that supports a person’s self-worth, especially for children.
3. The amount of interaction between the staff and children. “It’s a support place, they know their names,” Goodspeed said.
Resident Deb Watson said she also recently moved to West Branch and calls herself “so grateful” to live in this town and also live close to family.
“It’s a great community for our granddaughters,” she said.
Watson said her granddaughters encouraged her to visit the library and “meet Miss Becky.”
“My husband and I saw what a gem the library was,” she said, adding that it is a “selling point” for the town.
The library encouraged her to join the book club and make new friends.
“The staff are phenomenal. They’re your welcome wagon,” she said. “Anybody who walks in that library, they’re acknowledged.”
Watson listed off several activities and speakers.
“I’ve been at the library after school and see kids running across (the football field) and so excited to be coming there,” she said. “I really feel part of this community.”
She also appreciated that the library runs evening and weekend hours and allows children to visit when parents are working.
Resident Kelly Schlitz, who also sits on the Friends of the Library Board, said she moved to West Branch 14 years ago.
“I’ve always loved the library,” she said. “The (WBPL) is invaluable.”
She said the library is where her children learned to listen, laugh, and read.
“It’s where I love to be and it’s a bright spot in our community and it’s a playground for the mind,” Schlitz said.
Mayor Roger Laughlin thanked the supporters for speaking.
“You guys are very valuable to us,” he said. “The library is very important to us.”
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