Hudson Area Joint Library Board Presidents Makes the Case for More Funding

Hudson celebrated its grand opening on Saturday, October 2.

Link to September 29 Hudson Star-Observer article.

Excerpt:   Library Board President Roy Sjoberg is disappointed that the city of Hudson rejected a request for a $17,566 increase in city funding for the Hudson Area Library in 2011. He’s hoping the council might change its mind.

“We are operating below the basic levels when compared to other libraries,” Sjoberg said. “I have so much pride in this community. We have a beautiful building — I want to see us offer services at least equal to a basic level.

“The city was good to us in acquiring the building, but it’s sort of like getting the gift of a jet plane, but not enough fuel to make it operate. We have a $2.5 million building, but the doors are locked until 11 a.m. In some ways it’s a waste of tax dollars.”

Sjoberg’s statistics show Hudson’s library is open 48.5 hours each week. For libraries the size of Hudson, Sjoberg said basic Wisconsin standards indicate the library should be open close to 59 hours. Anything less than 59 hours puts Hudson’s library in the lower 30 percent — in other words, 70 percent of libraries the size of Hudson offer more services and more hours.

It should be noted here that a previous effort to compare the Hudson Area Joint Library with  its peers  did not sit well with local officials.  (See 8/12/2009 below.)

Related articles:
New library should open in June.  (3/29/2010)
Library, police remodeling plans approved.  (2/18/2010)
Rep. Kind News Release: Hudson Library Receives Grant. (1/29/2010)
Hudson City Council has concerns about library floor plan. (1/28/2010)
Hudson Board Approves Plan for New Library. (1/14/2010)
Hudson Area Joint Library Board Approves Lease Agreement. (12/16/2009)
Hudson City Council Purchases Building for Shared Library/Police Facility. (12/10/2009)
Interview with Hudson Mayor Dean Knudson. (11/12/2009)
Hudson City Council Plans to Buy Building for Possible Police/Library Facility. (10/22/2009)
Library assessment report ruffles municipal feathers.  (8/12/2009)
Bursting at the Seams. (3/31/2009)