Library board discusses options for reducing costs

Staff, hours cuts could still leave shortfall, Leininger says

MARSHALL -- in light of anticipated funding reductions from Lyon County, the Marshall-Lyon County Library is looking at ways to try and save money.

But even if the library takes steps like leaving staff positions unfilled and reducing operating hours, MLCL could still be facing a shortfall of about $82,000 in revenue next year, said library director Michele Leininger.

Discussion of the 2027 MLCL budget was a topic of discussion at this week's library board meeting, Leininger said. Library board members met with officials, including Marshall Mayor Bob Byrnes and Lyon County Administrator Loren Stomberg.

Earlier this fall, Lyon County Commissioners approved a preliminary budget and levy that would include some big cuts to funding appropriations for organizations like public libraries. MLCL is anticipating a $134,000 revenue shortfall in 2027, Leininger said.

"Things are not looking much different," after Monday's library board meeting, Leininger said. She had looked at the possibility of staff furloughs to reduce costs, but furloughs would not provide as big of a savings as the library needed.

Leininger said she had identified some potential areas of savings for MLCL, including leaving two staff positions unfilled. That would also mean a reduction of about seven hours from the Marshall library's hours of operation, she said. It would mean saving about $43,255.

Additional possibilities included reducing the number of digital materials that library patrons could check out at once and getting additional support from the Friends of the Library, Leininger said. However, it wouldn't add up to cover the full $134,000 shortfall.

The topic of library funding will be on the Lyon County Board's agenda for their Oct. 20 meeting, Stomberg said.

Stomberg said Lyon County's share of MLCL's original funding request for 2027 was $440,288. That was a 6.8% increase from 2026, he said. The preliminary levy the county board approved would support $306,000 in funding for the MLCL.

Stomberg said that amount would be a 25.8% reduction in MLCL's county funding from 2026. But under the preliminary levy, other county appropriations were reduced by 50%, he said. A contract between the city of Marshall, Lyon County, and the MLCL board requires the county contribute a minimum of $200,000 to the library.

There is a possibility that the impact of funding cuts to MLCL could go beyond next year. Stomberg said Tuesday that he is concerned Lyon County will be looking at a second round of cuts past 2027, to reduce further tax increases.

"Additional Human Service program costs shifts are expected at the state and federal level, which continue to pressure cuts in other service areas," Stomberg said. A second round of cuts could affect all of the county's appropriations and services, he said.