Thursday, March 19, 2026 |
Photo – Carbon County Library – Bigfoot99 file photo
County Commissioners remain committed to libraries amid the recent funding reduction.
Due to residential property tax cuts, including the 50 percent long‑term homeowner exemption, Carbon County lost approximately $500,000 in property tax revenue this fiscal year. The loss forced county officials to reduce funding for outside services, including museums, senior centers, and libraries.
The Carbon County Library System saw a 53 percent reduction in county funding, prompting Library Board members to seek financial support from participating municipalities. Without that assistance, Library Board Chairwoman Addie Myers said less‑used branches, such as the Hanna and Medicine Bow libraries, are set to close. Last‑minute contributions bought the branches more time, but they remain at risk without additional support.
During Tuesday’s Board of Carbon County Commissioners meeting, Interim Library Director Jenita Calton updated elected officials on the status of the Library System. Calton presented the Board with a report explaining that the $184,262 the county pledged this fiscal year only covers 37 percent of the total cost to run the Library System, instead of the typical 55 percent. The Library System has been left to fill the $315,000 gap left by the funding reduction.
Employee salaries account for nearly 70 percent of the Library System’s annual budget. Interim Library Director Calton said County Commissioners suggested cutting back on staffing. Calton asked if the Board was suggesting reducing all staff or just those in Rawlins. The interim library director said that as the largest municipality in Carbon County, Rawlins patrons should have access to additional services.
Commissioner John Espy clarified that while the county sets its annual financial contributions, the Carbon County Library Board is entirely responsible for allocating those funds. Commission Vice Chairwoman Gwynn Bartlett said the Board of Commissioners never suggested cutting Rawlins Library staff. Commissioner John Johnson said the county’s annual budget determines how much funding every entity receives, adding that the library is not entitled to a specific amount.
Vice Chair Bartlett said the county meets its statutory obligations to ensure the health and safety of residents and to fund a library in the county seat.
Before her presentation, Interim Library Director Calton invited Rawlins resident Anthony Brown to speak about the impact local libraries have on their communities. Brown said libraries provide internet and computer access, offer career training, and serve as gathering spaces. Calton also presented testimonials from users of the seven county branches, all echoing Brown’s comments.
Commission Chairman Travis Moore said the Board of Commissioners fully understands the importance of community libraries but noted that the decision to maintain branches in nearly every municipality was made when the county had more funding.
Chairman Moore said fire departments and ambulance services often rely on volunteers and asked why the Carbon County Library System could not do the same to reduce costs. Calton said librarians have a constitutional duty to protect patron privacy, and the state’s WYLD, or Wyoming Library Database, consortium, which allows county libraries to exchange material across the state, does not permit volunteers because of those privacy concerns.
Chairman Moore agreed that the privacy of library patrons is of the highest importance and noted that emergency medical volunteers are required to uphold the same HIPAA standards as paid staff. Calton said the library uses volunteers to stock shelves and handle other tasks, but not to check out materials, and suggested contacting State Librarian Abby Beaver to recommend any rule changes.
In previous funding discussions, the Board of Commissioners suggested combining libraries with other services, such as senior centers, to reduce operational costs. At Tuesday’s meeting, Commission Vice Chairwoman Bartlett asked Calton if she had considered the Board’s recommendation. The interim library director said she has given serious thought to the proposal since taking the position in November, adding that she and Library Board Chairwoman Addie Myers will continue examining the possibility of combining with other county services.
In the meantime, Calton said she has been exploring the possibility of installing electronic book lockers in towns whose libraries have closed. Patrons would be able to request books and other materials from the lockers, and if a title was not available at that location, a library employee would deliver it. Calton pledged that every town in Carbon County will continue to have some form of library access.
Calton thanked the Carbon County Library Foundation for committing to purchase the electronic book lockers. The interim director added that if a better solution emerges in the future, the Library Foundation will likely provide the funding for that as well.
After learning about the planned closures of the Hanna and Medicine Bow libraries, Commissioner Sue Jones secured a $7,500 donation from PacifiCorp and a $9,000 grant from the Wyoming Intertie Community Investment Program, which was matched by the Library Foundation. The money was earmarked specifically to keep the northern Carbon County branches open. Commissioner Jones said residents of those towns value their branches as much as those in Rawlins, and she will continue to support the smaller libraries in any way she can.
Commissioner Jones said libraries, like museums, are cultural hubs for their respective communities and challenged residents to donate to their local branches.
The Board of Commissioners thanked Interim Library Director Jenita Calton for her passion and commitment to protecting the county’s library system.
