City Council Hears From More Supporters Of Glenwood Public Library

Residents continued to voice their support for the Glenwood Public Library at last week’s regular meeting of the Glenwood City Council.

Eight citizens spoke up on behalf of the library and asked the city council to keep the facility fully staffed and funded.

Barbara Reif said the city has many assets that contribute to the quality of life enjoyed by citizens. Those assets include a strong school system, active YMCA, opportunities in the arts, recreation, Davies Amphitehater and the library, which she views as the city’s “crown jewel.”

“It (library) is vital to our community and its future prosperity, I believe. So  don’t be short-sighted here, please. Keep it fully functioning with a full staff and regular hours.
Carol Gutchewsky said “the library is for everybody” and challenged the city to find another place in the budget to make cuts.

“A lot of the users of the library are children. We as a community need to support the resources that kids need,” she said. “That’s a really important thing for you to think about.

“I don want to assume that you think it’s just just a pile of books that’s just sitting there for somebody to come in and dust occasionally - the library has to grow and change over time. I think in order to do that, it needs to be fully staffed. You can’t just keep it on a ‘maintenance diet’ basically - you’ve got to have it on a diet that will keep it growing and vital in the community.”

“Please support the library. Figure out something else to cut because the library is really important. It’s a very vital part of the community.”

Debbie Black called the library an “essential part of the community, noting that both her children and grandchildren have utilized the library.

“The library is also good for community growth, which is what we are all here about,” resident Carol Dean said. “We live in a wonderful small town. One of the questions new people coming in look to is, ‘Do we have a library?’  Do we have a good library?’”

Library supporters have been voicing their concerns about possible cuts in library staffing and funding since a draft for the city ‘s 2025-2026 fiscal year budget was presented to the city council by city administrator Mitch Kolf in in March. The draft indicated two of the library’s five full-time positions would be cut along with a part-time secretarial position at the police department to help the city meet a shortfall in its general fund operating budget next year. An executive assistant and genealogist position at the library would be eliminated under the proposal.

Glenwood Public Library Director Tara Painter said the cuts would likely result in a reduction in hours and services at the library.

The city’s FY26 budget will be finalized and certified with the state following a public hearing at City Hall on Tuesday, April 29, at 7 p.m.