Library bookmobile wrap chosen; district will reallocate prior levy cent to staffing and finish admin funding

Library Director Jennifer Stastenopoulos and Interim Deputy Amelia Mason presented the districts activities and financial plan to the board, including the bookmobile artwork selection and the FY27 funding approach.

Bookmobile and wrap: The library announced it had chosen an artist-designed wrap titled "Wild about Reading" to feature native wildlife across county geographies and that the new bookmobile is expected to be delivered this summer. The district also said the current bookmobile is already being used for expanded outreach, including summer-reading programs and dementia-friendly activities.

Fiscal approach: Rather than request a new levy for FY27, the district plans to reallocate the 1 cent per $100 valuation approved in FY26 (initially used to buy the bookmobile) to finish funding the district administration shortfall and to provide $20,000 for city operational needs and part-time clerks to staff the bookmobile and support Forest Lakes. The library emphasized that remaining operational and capital needs will be deferred but documented for future consideration.

Community impact: Library staff described increased programming across branches (Grand Canyon received a >$526,000 commitment for facility upgrades; Page, Williams, Sedona and Forest Lakes expanded teen and community media programs) and said the districtwide services reached hundreds of thousands of visitors last year. Presenters offered to provide a bookmobile tour for supervisors once the vehicle is in county hands.