An idea to help our county libraries

Because of property tax cuts, libraries all over the state took hit in their funding. In Big Horn County, their budget was cut by $70,000. In Washakie County, the library budget was cut by $100,000. Until the counties learn how much their direct distribution is from the state, we can expect the budgets for every department in our counties could face cuts again this year. 

Mom read the story about the director of the library asking Lovell and Basin towns to help with the utilities. As a former church librarian and volunteer school librarian, she has a love for libraries. She also believes the importance of libraries to our communities. So, she asked what I thought about us making a donation to the utility bill for the library in Basin.

When we started the Friends of the Basin Library in 2007 or 2008, the friends raised money for items for the library. Items that were not in their budget. We held dinners with Craig Johnson, created a cookbook (using on the front cover, Dorothy Gibler art) and Art from the Heart. We also had people sponsor magazines. 

With the funds, we had desks made for the staff, purchased a computer desk for the public and furniture for the kids’ area. Fast forward to now…less tax money coming in but the cost of services is going up. Making a donation to help pay for those services is one way that could help. Certainly an out-of-the-box idea but, one that could be helpful to the libraries in Lovell and Basin.