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DECORAH — Representatives from the Winneshiek County Library Association made a case for additional funding Monday during their presentation to the Board of Supervisors. The association, which is comprised of five libraries, requested a $3,000 increase per library above and beyond their contract amount for FY26. The funding would help libraries meet the rising demand for digital materials, rural outreach, and community programming. Kristin Torresdal, Director of Decorah Public Library, highlighted the Decorah Public Library's efforts to enhance accessibility and expand their reach across the county. "We're working to reach underserved populations where they are, rather than expecting them to come to us," she said. Torresdal cited partnerships with local schools, the expansion of bilingual materials, and mobile hotspots as critical resources to helping rural residents access the internet. Spillville Library: Growth in Programming and Rural Outreach Ruth Kuhn, director of the Spillville Public Library, emphasized the importance of library programming for youth and adults alike. While noting a slight decline in school-age children's attendance, Kuhn said the library has seen a notable increase in adult patrons using its computers, digital books and online resources. "We're focusing on getting rural families engaged, particularly through events and access to mobile hotspots," Kuhn said. The library recently upgraded its landscaping with last year's funding and plans to invest in more programming and rural internet access with the requested increase. Kuhn also thanked the Ridgeway and Protivin city councils for their financial support. "Their contributions, combined with county funding, allow us to better serve our community," she said. Shine a light on issues that matter—support local news with your gift today. Calmar Library: Engaging Youth Through Innovative Programs Vernelle Holthaus, director of the Calmar Public Library, described her library's success in hosting educational and interactive programs. Highlights included a summer library program featuring live animals from the Blank Park Zoo, a hands-on demonstration of emergency vehicles during "Touch-a-Truck," and a visit from Dr. Michael Bechtel of Wartburg College, who showcased reptiles, insects and other creatures. "Our summer events bring in 40 to 70 attendees, which is a huge turnout for our library," Holthaus said. She added that the library has seen growing demand for digital materials and plans to expand its collection if funding allows. Ossian Library: Boosting Digital and Print Circulation Kay Elsbernd, director of the Ossian Public Library, reported steady increases in both digital and physical circulation. She attributed the growth to outreach efforts that educate patrons about the library's resources, including interlibrary loans and digital audiobooks. "We've been helping seniors and other patrons access digital tools, such as Libby, and providing workshops on avoiding online scams," Elsbernd said. She also highlighted the library's role in providing affordable printing services, which many residents rely on as home printers become less common. The library participates in statewide interlibrary loan programs, lending 238 books last year. "The reimbursement from the state for these loans covered nearly three weeks of my assistant's wages," Elsbernd noted. Fort Atkinson Library: Rural Usage Surging Laura Thomas, director of the Fort Atkinson Public Library, shared that rural patrons now make up a majority of the library's users. "Our rural population has far outstripped our town population in terms of circulation," she said. Thomas described the popularity of digital materials, particularly among older residents who appreciate customizable features like adjustable font sizes. She also pointed to the library's success in hosting community events, especially summer programs, visits from conservation experts, and trunk-or-treat gatherings. "We've seen great engagement with these programs," Thomas said. "Last year, we brought in the Blank Park Zoo, and 80 kids attended—a huge turnout for a small library like ours." Decorah Library: Accessibility and Partnerships Kristin Torresdal rounded out the presentation by highlighting Decorah Public Library's focus on accessibility. Recent improvements include $10,000 in grants to update automatic door openers. Library staff are awaiting news of whether a second accessibility- related grant application was successful. The library also expanded its Spanish-language collection and created bilingual library forms to better serve non-English-speaking patrons. The library's partnerships with local organizations have been a driving force behind its success. Torresdal described collaborations with the Sunflower Discovery Center, where the library now hosts open gym sessions for children, and EARL Public Transit, which provides transportation for children to attend library events. "Expanding our partnerships allows us to reach more people in meaningful ways," Torresdal said. The supervisors expressed appreciation for the libraries' efforts to enhance community engagement and access to resources. The board will consider the funding request as part of its broader FY26 budget discussions. Knowledge is power! Stay empowered by subscribing to the free newsletter, packed with valuable insights, stories of local newsmakers and ideas to get your weekend started.

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Winneshiek County Libraries Seek Increased Funding To Meet Rising Demand