KOSSUTH COUNTY, Iowa — Major budget cuts to Kossuth County libraries went into effect July 1. It’s something libraries have spoken out against, the Fenton Library director even telling Local 5 that it would force them to shut down.
Now, however, it looks like things might turn around.
Carter Nath, the Vice Chair of County Supervisors, tells Local 5 that the board has voted to prepare a budget amendment that would restore the library budget to what it was last fiscal year. Nath says this isn’t official just yet. Supervisors will be voting on that amendment in about a month. Still, Nath says it looks like everyone’s on board.
West Bend Public Library Director Lisa Riesenberg says she'll believe it when she sees it. She says libraries need that money to be vibrant for their communities.
“We can’t do what we do well without financial support," Riesenberg said.
And what libraries do is about more than books. For example, libraries offer free WiFi, computers, and a place that can point people in the direction of community resources.
Riesenberg says people who don’t know where to go frequently come to the library.
“There are some days when you feel like you’re a social worker and we don’t have a social work degree but just being there for people who are struggling,” she said. Westbend wouldn't feel much of an impact from cuts because they're on the county line and get funding from both Palo Alto County and Kossuth County, according to Riesenberg.
The smaller libraries that rely more on Kossuth County funding, however, would take a major hit.
“Those smaller libraries who are already open part time - like less than 20 hours a week - that cuts them deeper because then they have to cut more hours," she said.
But that doesn't mean Westbend wouldn't have to adjust.
“We’d still have to consider, you know, maybe not doing a program or not buying extra books or adjusting staff time if we had too," Riesenberg said.
And the community understands that impact. Riesenberg was deeply moved by the amount of people who showed up at this week’s board meeting to support the libraries.
“What impresses me the most are the people, you know, are shy and struggle with mental health and they’re the ones that are there supporting us. It is amazing…," she said.
Nath says county officials decided to change course after hearing locals’ concerns and making sure that they have the funds needed. He says they're covering the costs with leftover money that wasn't spent in previous budgets.
The reason for the approximately month-long wait for the vote, he says, is that it takes about a month to prepare the budget and they need to give legal notice in the newspaper.
When it comes to the future of funding for Kossuth County libraries, Riesenberg is cautiously optimistic but there’s definitely been some loss of trust.