‘Libraries do so much for a community’: Cache County Library fights to stay open

CACHE COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) — Cache County Executive, George Daines, has recommended to the Cache County Council that the county cease operating the county library.

According to Daines, the county has been operating at a deficit for the last three years. He shared the budget situation is “unsustainable”.

Daines shared the direct cost of library service is approximately $250,000 per year. 80% of the Cache County citizens are already paying taxes to support municipal libraries.

Daines does not believe it is fair for those citizens to be double taxed to support the remaining 20% when all cities allow non-resident households full access to their municipal libraries with an annual user fee.

Ultimately, the decision is up to the Cache County Council.

‘They are a place of community’

Cache County Library Director, Brynnan Sainsbury, said she heard about the recommendation to cease library operations about two weeks ago. Since then, the library has been letting people know how they can help protect the library.

“Mostly it’s contacting their county council representative, letting them know that people care about this library, want this library, and need this library,” Sainsbury said.

Additionally, the library has been putting up flyers and posters to spread awareness.

“Libraries do so much for a community. They are a place of community, a place where people can go where they don’t have to buy anything,” Sainsbury said.

Sainsbury also mentioned literacy rates are dropping. Libraries, which provide access to books and information, are crucial resources in fixing that problem.

The Cache County Library is in the process of becoming a certified library. Sainsbury said it is a three-year process. They just finished year one. If the library becomes a certified library, it will be able to apply for grants. Sainsbury sees this as one potential solution to the budget issues.

Right now, Sainsbury said the library is asking the county council for more time before making a decision.