County libraries request additional funding

            According to a study conducted by The Pew Research Center in 2013, 95 percent of Americans 16 years and older reported that they felt materials and resources at public libraries play an important role in their community, with 81 percent also saying that libraries provide services people would have a hard time finding elsewhere.

            With Internet access limited in rural areas and a need existing for libraries to act as “centers of activity,” the six public library directors of Keokuk County met with the Board of Supervisors to discuss an increase of $5,000 in funding for the upcoming fiscal year. The money would go to improve library programs and updating equipment to keep up with the rapid pace of technology.

            “For all the libraries, we want to increase the quality of our programs and services fro patrons, such as summer reading and teen programs,” Cindy McCan, Library Director at Richland Public Library said. “There are big calls for more education in STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) programs, and our libraries are one way of providing that education to our children.”

             The directors-representing libraries in Keota, Sigourney, Richland, Hedrick, South English and What Cheer-conducted a meeting with the Board last year for the first time since 2001, and plan to hold yearly meetings with them in the future.

            “It’s good to communicate with them about how each of us are doing regardless of funding,” McCan said. “There hasn’t been an increase in funding since 2001, and we’re hoping to make a difference by talking with them. We look forward to working with them in the future.”

            According to the presentation given to the Board of Supervisors by McCan and the other librarians present at the meeting, Keokuk County funds the libraries at $7.69 per capita (total amount given/population). In addition to funds from the county, libraries also get funds from city budgets, state budget (if accredited), grants, memorials, and friends group for select libraries. Since 2001, countywide circulation has increased by 47%, jumping from 60, 293 rented books, movies and more to 88,467 items in 2014. The county currently allots $30,000 to libraries, with the funding split by a formula generated by circulation.

            Town Library Funding Per Capita in 2014:

            Keota: $48.45

            Sigourney: $36.42

            Richland: $33.98

            Hedrick: $24.01

            South English: $8.49

            What Cheer: $4.31