We need your help with county library funding!

Those who live outside of city limits within Buchanan County-
Please personalize the sample letter and send it to the Buchanan County Supervisors by
Saturday, Jan. 12 (deadline has been extended).

There are six public libraries (PL) of Buchanan County –

• Aurora Public Library
• Fairbank Public Library
• Independence Public Library
• Jesup Public Library
• Lamont Public Library
• Winthrop Public Library
  
  

These libraries are asking for increased funding from the county.  Each of our libraries is supported through our cities, Buchanan County, and much smaller dollar amounts come from the state as well as fines/fees

County funding to the libraries has remained stagnant for the last four years.  Each year the libraries have requested an increase to help our libraries offer up-to-date services to you.  We want you to have up-to-date public computers and fast Internet speeds, relevant materials to check out, online services to rely on, and quality programs to attend.  To do these things, the county funding needs to be increased.

The libraries currently receive $11.26 per person.  When compared to city funding, it is less than one third of the average amount the Buchanan County Libraries receive.  When proposing the 09-10 budget, we requested $11.50, and for that amount to go up one dollar per person each year.  The expectation is not to match the city budget allocations, but to be about 75% of the average city budget allocation.  This year the libraries will request $15.50, the dollar amount that would have been in the plan with the increase of $1 per person, per year.

Also linked are:

• A sheet with statistics which shows the city and county budgets for the public libraries in our county.
• A sample letter that needs to be personalized and signed before sending to the Buchanan County Supervisors.  Please send it by Jan. 12^th.

If you have any questions, please ask Laura Blaker, Independence Public Library Director, at 319-939-7932 (cell phone) or a library board member.

Thanks for your help!