Friends of the Library urge county to keep interlocal agreement and Saturday hours

Speakers representing the Friends of the Library urged the commission to maintain the county’s interlocal agreement with the Northwest Regional Library System (NWRLS), saying termination would cost the county access to shared collections, the bookmobile and shared digital services.

Dr. Annette Cedarholm, speaking for the group, said the county risks losing access to more than 300,000 books through the consortium, as well as monthly bookmobile service to schools, Head Start, public housing and nursing homes. She emphasized that local students and adult learners rely on library Wi‑Fi and databases to complete courses and assignments, and thanked the board for restoring Saturday hours at the Port St. Joe library.

The chair responded that the commission did not intend to end the interlocal agreement and confirmed Saturday hours would continue.

What happens next: the board indicated continued participation in the NWRLS and retention of Saturday hours; staff will accept handouts and follow up with the Friends group as needed.