Library uses creative avenues to draw more entertainment and funds

By KYLE MCCLELLAN The Western News

Confronted with declining revenue, resources and visitors, Lincoln County libraries are responding with creative programming and other methods designed to not only maintain service, but to also cultivate a reputation as a dynamic community center.

"Everybody traditionally thinks of libraries as books. But we have so much more. We're bound and determined to find something for everybody," said Lincoln County Library Director Sami Pierson.

The recent push on new programming has given way to a handful of ideas, including outdoor entertainment, movie marathons, reading programs for children and adults, a Scrabble Day and Cheap Date Days, when independent or foreign films may be shown.

The library's adult summer reading program is new this year.

For every two books an adult reads, her or his name is included in a drawing for a restaurant gift certificate.

It is still good to be young, though, as children's prizes for the summer reading program include portable DVD players and MP3 players.

There has been talk of starting an Axis and Allies competition for fans of the World War II strategy-based board game.

Lemonade on the Lawn starts June 6, which will feature live entertainment.

The Earth Rhythm Sisters, a local percussion group, will take the lawn at the first session.

But beyond the beating drums, gift certificates, electronics, games and movies, Pierson and the library board are engaged in the mundane necessities of money raising.

The library's revenue, which comes mostly from county tax appropriations, has dropped by almost $40,000 since 2002.

That's partly the result of decreased funds arriving from inter-library loans and telecommunications reimbursements.

Libraries that lend more books to other libraries than they borrow usually receive more money under the loan program.

Lincoln County's three branches — in Libby, Troy and Eureka — borrow more than they lend. The three branches no longer receive funds from the loan program.

Each time a county taxpayer pays a phone bill, a percentage of that is directed towards the library system through a funding program called E-Rate.

The libraries' compensation from E-Rate has dropped more than $3,000 since 2001.

Doing more with less is now an integral part of Pierson's repertoire.

"We're understaffed. There's no doubt about it," she said. "Budget-wise, I'm having to unfortunately convert some positions."

Part-time workers without benefits represent the largest library staff. Full-time staff has dropped.

Part-timers work "very part-time" Pierson said.

"We are talking some people work two hours a week."

The three libraries, which operate by hours set 10 years ago, aren't open long enough, Pierson said.

"They need to be open more. The communities have changed dramatically since the hours were established long ago…we're cramming more into fewer hours and it's not working as well," she said. "At this point, I can't open any more because I don't have the money to do it."

As is common, finances are limited. But also common is that fact's inability to undermine the library's critical service to the community — an open haven of free-flowing information and literary escape.

"For the town of Libby—the grade school library, middle school library, high school library and us—we have a fantastic library system," Pierson said.