County libraries report rising digital use and tight budgets as maintenance needs mount

Directors from two county libraries reported steady summer programming and rising digital circulation but said flat budgets, deferred maintenance and staffing gaps are constraining services.

Library services are central to residents and visitors for education, internet access and community events; changes in circulation and operating costs affect how libraries serve youth, seniors and seasonal visitors.

Donna Naki, director of the Winter Public Library, described summer programs for preschoolers and tweens, a slate of fundraising activities tied to local events and a reliance on a mix of municipal and fundraising dollars to close budget gaps. She said her library is seeing higher digital circulation through Libby even while in‑branch circulation of physical items is lower. Naki said the library is planning to hold its budget request with no increase but will use creative line-item adjustments and fundraising to meet costs.

Anne Larson, director of the Sherman and Ruth Weiss Community Library, said the library’s summer reading registration rose to more than 305 this year from 247 last year and that the library raised roughly $4,000 from a one-day “Celebrate Your Library” event the board was shown. Larson said the library has purchased three new and 10 refurbished public computers to replace aging machines, expects installation of a new air-conditioning unit at a cost just under $7,000 and faces an estimated $11,000 maintenance bill for pier and bridge repairs. She said the library is pursuing grants and town-level conversations to secure more stable funding and noted that some municipal services (accounting, insurance) are provided in‑kind by the city of Hayward.

Both directors described partnerships with local organizations for programming, use of library space by visitors during rainy weekends, and efforts to keep programming accessible to all ages. Neither director requested new county appropriations at the meeting.