Friday, NOVEMBER 14, 2025 |

Photo – Hanna branch library – Bigfoot99 file photo

Northern Carbon County towns see little reason to fund their libraries if those branches are likely to close.

Recent property tax cuts have reduced county revenue by approximately $500,000, leaving less money for libraries, senior centers, and other outside agencies. The Carbon County Library System’s budget was cut by 53% this fiscal year, causing the Public Library Board to reduce operating hours across all seven branches.

Despite those measures, the deficit continued to grow. In response, Library Board members began asking municipalities to provide more funding or assume ownership of their local branches. Many towns already contribute thousands of dollars each year for utilities, trash service, and snow removal. The Library Board reported that without additional income, the less‑used branches, including Medicine Bow, Hanna, and Encampment, will be forced to close.

Speaking at the October 15th Public Library Board meeting, Chairwoman Adelaide Myers said the Board has already drawn heavily from its savings to keep all seven branches open. Even with reduced hours, Myers said the Board will exhaust its funds by the end of the fiscal year.

Last month, Chairwoman Myers met with the governing bodies of Medicine Bow and Hanna to explain the situation and request help from the towns. At those meetings, Myers reported that County Commissioner Sue Jones had secured a $15,000 grant from Rocky Mountain Power and PacifiCorp to keep the Hanna and Medicine Bow libraries open through the end of the year. Commissioner Jones later reported that the Library System has received only $7,500 of the promised amount.

During the November 10th Medicine Bow Town Council meeting, the governing body discussed providing additional funding for the town’s library. Mayor Justin George said it appears that when the $15,000 grant is exhausted, the Library Board will shutter both the Medicine Bow and Hanna branches.

Mayor George said the Library Board appears to have determined that the Medicine Bow branch will close by the end of this year. With that in mind, the mayor said it would be unwise for the town to contribute any additional money.

Councilwoman Crystal Mayfield agreed, saying the Library Board was already preparing to close the Medicine Bow location when it reduced the branch’s hours to one day a week. Councilman Trevor Strauch added that the Medicine Bow library was singled out as likely to close.

After the discussion, the Medicine Bow Town Council voted not to provide the library with any additional money.

Library funding was also discussed at Tuesday’s Hanna Town Council meeting. Mayor Charlie George said he was told the $15,000 PacifiCorp grant would keep the Hanna branch open until January 1st. However, Mayor George said that may no longer be the case.

During budget discussions, the Library Board suggested using a bookmobile to serve communities where branches have closed. At Tuesday’s Hanna Town Council meeting, Mayor George said the bookmobile is unlikely to reach the town during winter, further limiting library access for residents. The mayor said the governing body has two months to explore options to keep the local branch open.

Mayor George acknowledged that the Hanna library is not heavily used. He said it remains an essential service for some residents, adding that the town cannot continue to lose amenities.

According to the Carbon County Library Board, operating the Hanna branch costs $36,392 annually. At Tuesday’s meeting, Town Clerk Vivian Gonzales questioned how a library, open just two days a week, could be so expensive to run. Additionally, the town contributes $1,500 a year for gas and pays all water and sewer fees.

The Hanna Town Council took no action to fund the local library branch.

With further property tax cuts planned, including a possible repeal of all residential property taxes, the Carbon County Library System is expected to lose even more revenue next year.

The post Northern Carbon County Towns Discuss Putting More Funds Toward Libraries first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.