Residents urge board to preserve library services as budget talks loom

At the Sept. 1 Isanti County Board meeting, residents pressed commissioners to protect the county library’s programs and services as the board considers budget priorities.

Cheryl Davidson, introduced as from the City of Isanti, told the board "that library is so much more," citing a Discovery Room for children, supervised-visitation space that avoids costly private centers, free study and meeting rooms used by volunteers and nonprofits, and computer and printing access for students and residents who lack alternatives. "It has its own child library with a large playroom called the Discovery Room," she said.

Other public commenters reinforced those points. Karen S. Lee read letters from community members describing the library’s summer reading programs, databases, and the microfilm reader; she urged commissioners to read the letters and attend a Sept. 4 fundraiser. Volunteer Kyle Clemens said the library is regularly used by local businesses as meeting space and warned that cuts would remove an important community hub. "The library is consistently used by local business people as a meeting location," Clemens said.

Madeline Fendrick described family uses and programs — story time, guest speakers, craft nights and a summer reading program — saying the library is a safe, affordable place for her children. "It feels okay to bring my 3 year old to the library," she said.

Board members acknowledged the testimony. The chair thanked speakers and said the library director’s budget presentation had been "very well done" and would be weighed carefully as the board reviews the county budget.

Why it matters: library services were presented as providing low-cost education, child care alternatives, community meeting space and access to online resources for residents without home internet. Speakers said cuts to hours or the bookmobile would disproportionately hurt families, volunteers and unhoused students who rely on the library for study space and services.