County Library Funding, Part Whatever

Wisconsin Public Library Systems

Link to September 4 Winona (MN) Daily News article, "Statewide borrowing system costing libraries".

Excerpt:
A state law that allows public libraries to charge back fees for every book or other borrowed material checked out by nonresidents is causing headaches for budget planners struggling to balance expenses.

Buffalo County Board Chair Del Twidt calls the fees a “bone of contention.”

Buffalo County taxpayers spent $62,000 on nonresident library fees in 2008 and can figure on paying more than $66,000 in 2009, according to numbers reviewed by the county’s finance and budget committee.

The county board recently directed the finance committee to investigate the county’s cost of all public library expenses, including membership in the seven-county Winding Rivers Library System.