The purpose of the Community Library Network and libraries in general was questioned a few times Monday afternoon as trustees continued to hash out the details of fiscal year 2024's budget.
The Community Library Network is over $200,000 in the hole and has until the end of the month to agree on how to fix it. Tom Hanley, Rachelle Ottosen and Tim Plass want extreme budget cuts that would include reducing staff, eliminating programs, cutting hours, possibly closing some libraries, delaying purchase of outdated equipment and zero tax increases. Director Alexa Eccles explained that it will be nearly impossible to make enough cuts to balance the budget. Accepting a tax increase with less drastic budget cuts would best serve the community’s needs.
POST FALLS, Idaho Special events like live musical performances and the bookmobile put on through the Community Library Network could get scrapped if the board cannot balance its budget