Library patrons urge city to shore up finances and preserve hours

Several Dunsmuir residents urged the City Council on Aug. 6 to provide more funding to the Dunsmuir Library to keep services running.

"Libraries have been called islands of democracy and equality," said Sandra Hood, a local patron, arguing the library is a unique public space that supports equality, literacy and safe access to services. Kevin Tinsky, a Friends of the Library board member, described the library as a cooling and heating center certified by Siskiyou County Public Health and noted services such as free Wi-Fi, printing, partnerships with literacy programs and summer reading events.

Nora Silver said the library has been central to her family's life and credited it with contributing to her son's advanced reading level. Tim Hole, another library board member, told council members the library faces a "financial crisis" and requested the council grant an additional $15,000 this fiscal year on top of roughly $31,000 already budgeted to avoid cutting hours or temporarily closing.

The public comment speakers asked the council to place the library funding question on a future agenda and to coordinate with the city manager so the council can review detailed budget projections. Several council members said the topic is linked to the city manager's work plan and agreed to schedule further discussion and potential action at an upcoming meeting.