Library supporters ask for help to boost book funds

Friends of the Carson City Library have started a fund-raising drive to buy the latest books for the adult collection after city funds were exhausted halfway through the fiscal year.

Library book funds were short nearly $75,000 this fiscal year after city, state and federal funds were cut. The $137,500 that the city allocated toward purchases for books and reference items was spent by the end of December, said library Director Sally Edwards.

"There's a lot of really big ticket items purchased at the beginning of every fiscal year," Edwards said.

Those items included reference materials and books purchased annually to update the collection.

City leaders cut funds by 3 percent, or $14,000, this year after revenues failed to meet budget projections. All city departments were asked to cut 3 percent from budgets last year.

On top of city cuts, the library can usually count on at least $20,000 from the city in supplemental funds each year, but that was not available this year, Edwards said. The library also missed out on about $30,000 of funds from the state to buy books and materials, cut by the Legislature last year.

Carson Library usually is eligible to apply for federal funds through the state for purchasing, but those funds were also not available this year.

Friends of the Carson City Library started a fund-raiser last month to pay for book purchases, said Carol McIntyre, president of the community organization. Letters were sent out to library supporters and the business community.

So far, the group has collected about one-third of the $5,000 goal. The supporters are asking for donations of $125 or more. The library will place contributors' names inside books they purchase using the funds. They will also be mentioned in a newsletter and a poster inside the library.

"That's what the Friends of the Library are for," McIntyre said. "When times are a little tight, we gather together and form a fund-raiser."

The group has operated a bookstore called Browser's Corner in the lobby of the library, where they sell used books to help pay for new ones.

The library's plan for expansion is on hold until more funding can be found. The city is collecting facility master plans from each department and will prioritize the needs, Edwards said. The library completed a feasibility study more than a year ago that called for building a three-story library inside the city's community center.

Anyone interested in donating to the book fund can visit the library at 900 N. Roop St., or call McIntyre at 887-2244, ext. 1014.

Contact Jill Lufrano at jlufrano@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1217.