By TOM GERROW
BG Independent News
Wood County District Public Library Board met on Monday, coming off a three-month break with much to celebrate, but also much for which to prepare.
“This summer has been crazy and chaotic and hectic, and we have loved every minute of it,” said Michael Penrod, the library director.
The Summer Reading Program had 1,591 readers participating, with an assist from 96 volunteers. The library offered 183 related programs, which were attended by 4,779 people. Reported reading was up 12%.
This year’s Novel Night, the library’s premier fundraiser, was held July 17 and raised $130,000 – all of which will go to buying more materials for the library.
“I’m just so appreciative that we have that,” Penrod said. “The success on Novel Night really makes an impact on our ability to serve and on Michelle (Raine) and Maria’s (Simon) ability to buy the books that our community is insisting on.”
The Friends of the Library book sale brought in an additional $6,200, including an extra $1,100 from selling Friends of the Library book bags. In addition to raising needed funds, the book sale also helps to clear out space in the library to make room for new additions to the collection.
Penrod also reported on the financial situation the library is facing, with changes to the state’s funding mechanism. Instead of receiving a percentage of state tax revenue through the Public Library Fund (PLF), funding for public libraries will be a specific line item in the state budget. For the coming two fiscal years, that will reduce the amount of support flowing to libraries from 2025 levels. In fiscal year 2026, which started July 1, the state has budgeted $479.7 million – down from $504.6 million in fiscal year 2025. This amounts to nearly $25 million less, or about a 5% reduction. For fiscal year 2027, the amount budgeted is $489.7 million.
“The biggest concern for me is we’re now at this hard ceiling, just like the levy,” Penrod said. “And we only have three funding sources. We have the Public Library Fund, about 60% of our tax revenue, and the levy, which is 40% of our tax revenue, and then private philanthropy. So our two public sources have no opportunity for growth.”
Penrod noted that while funding as a line item in the budget may provide more stability, now the library must prepare for an economic downturn where the state may cut support by 5%, 10%, or more.
The WCDPL is also working to trim costs and gain efficiency. Utility expenses from 2018 through 2024, for example, have been nearly flat even as costs have risen. Investments in LED lighting, power-saving computers, and new heating and chilling plants have helped to save funds. Anticipating the recent budgetary impacts, the library eliminated three positions through attrition in late 2024 and 2025. Any future vacancies will be evaluated and then filled, restructured or eliminated.
Penrod announced a major refurbishment of the library’s elevator, which will be taking place in the first quarter of 2026. This is expected to take about seven weeks, during which time the library will remain open. Programs and activities that are scheduled for upstairs will be moved downstairs, and there will likely be changes to loan periods and circulation practices. Assistance will be provided to allow those who can’t physically go upstairs to access upstairs resources.
The board also voted on proposed changes to facility rentals, including the BG meeting room, Walbridge meeting room, Carter House, and library atrium. For the BG and Walbridge meeting rooms, the fees for non-profits will increase from $50 to $75 for four hours, and from $100 to $200 for all day. For individuals and for-profits, the fee will go from $100 to $200 for four hours, and from $200 to $400 for all day.
The Carter House fees will change as well. The old fee structure was $125 for up to four hours with an additional $25/hour after; or over six hours for a flat fee of $400, with reservations required 48 hours in advance. The new fee structure is $250 for up to six hours, and $350 for six hours or more, with reservations required 72 hours in advance, and a clarification that decorations may not be adhered to the structure.
For the library’s atrium, non-library events by outside groups were formerly permitted. The new policy only permits atrium events by the library or a library partner.
Also at the meeting, Ben Otley of Risk Strategies briefed the board on securing a health insurance plan for WCDPL’s employees for the coming year. Risk Strategies is an insurance brokerage and consulting firm, and Otley is helping the board navigate the current insurance marketplace. The board plans to approve the WCDPL budget at their meeting in November but has yet to obtain a rate quote from any potential insurers.
