Operating costs continue to increase for the Putnam County Library, prompting a request for a funding increase from the City of Cookeville.
Putnam County Library Director Kathryn Wisinger said Cookeville allocated an additional $18,000 in its budget. Council approved the first reading of the budget last week.
“We try to never ever ask for more than we need,” Wisinger said. “Because we understand that everyone’s tax dollars go for something very important in the city and the county, and so we try and only ask for what we need.
Wisinger said Cookeville is one of the five major bodies that provide funding each year to the library. She said the system is grateful for the funding that has been provided.
Wisinger said funding the library gives people access to programs and resources that they may not have otherwise.
“We, of course, have free wifi, we have computers, we have all kinds of things that many of us probably take for granted, that people could come to the library and use for free,” Wisinger said.
Wisinger said the library will continue to offer a service called Hoopla, which allows people to stream audiobooks, music, and videos.
“Those services are expensive, but they are also very important for our residents here in our local community, and some of those dollars will also fund the digital services that we have,” Wisinger said. “So, for all of you listening that love Hoopla, you can thank your city council members for those dollars.”
Wisinger said the library requested $20,000 from the city.
