By Rich Larson
A 10% reduction in Rice County’s contributions to outside agencies could force the Northfield Public Library to eliminate Sunday hours during the school year, Director of Library Services Natalie Draper said.
The County Board approved the reduction for 2027 on a 3-2 vote, with Commissioners Galen Malecha and Steve Underdahl opposed. Funding could still be restored before the county adopts its final budget in December.
Draper said Northfield’s share of the reduction would exceed $20,000, roughly equivalent to the cost of staffing the library on Sundays throughout the school year. The library already closes Sundays during the summer.
That amount also represents approximately 10% of the library’s collection budget. Draper said reducing hours would be easier to reverse if funding returns and would help preserve collections and outreach to underserved residents.
County support totals slightly more than $200,000 annually and accounts for about 8% of the library’s budget, Draper said. Approximately 20% of its active borrowers are rural Rice County residents living outside Northfield.
Draper said county contributions have remained relatively flat while costs have increased, leaving the city responsible for a growing share of library expenses.
She said the state-required minimum level of county library support has remained unchanged since 2011. Although Rice County contributes more than that minimum, Draper said the requirement does not reflect today’s costs.
The timing presents another challenge. Draper said library budget discussions begin around May, with county funding requests submitted in June and presentations generally made in August.
Malecha said the cut was proposed from the floor with little warning. His request to delay action so agencies could participate in the discussion did not advance.
Affected organizations include libraries, senior centers, the Hope Center, Ruth’s House of Hope, Prairie’s Edge Humane Society and the Rice County Historical Society.
Draper said those organizations provide services the county would otherwise need to fund or leave unmet. She said libraries also face increased demand during financial hardship, offering free programs, job skills resources, internet access and places to gather.
Draper encouraged residents to contact commissioners, saying previous spending reductions have left the library with few remaining options.
Rich Larson is the owner and General Manager of KYMN Radio. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
