By MaryHelen Swanson

Harry S. Truman did not go to college, he educated himself.

In fact, he made it a goal to read every book in his hometown library.

Last week at the county board meeting, East Central Regional Library director Bob Boese began his presentation on the status of the libraries in Chisago County with this tidbit of information about Truman.

He said he didnít know, however, if Truman ever reached his lofty goal.

The figures presented on circulation at the Chisago County libraries were as impressive, it would seem, as the idea of reading every book in a library.

They got the county commissioners rethinking their budget decision.

And by the end of the library discussion the commissioners voted 4-0 (Bob Gustafson abstained) to take $5,044 from the contingency fund to cover the deficit in funding to the ECRL system for 2006.

The deficit in funding to the library system was created during budget-setting last year.

It would have meant a cut in some hours at some of the Chisago County libraries.

Because of the reduced funding, two county commissioners (Commissioners Ben Montzka and Rick Olseen) had pledged their per diem income as a donation to cover the deficit.

Commissioner Montzka also pledged his mileage reimbursement.

In Boeseís report, he noted that in the first three months of 2006, the new Chisago Lakes library saw a 111.6 percent increase in usage over that same period in 2005.

Likewise, the new North Branch library saw a 31.9 percent increase in usage during that time period.

Circulation at the new Wyoming library was 19,903 for the first quarter, with nothing to compare it to because Wyoming had only been served by the Bookmobile in the past.

Boese also noted that Wyoming was the first branch library to be opened since 1985.

The only Chisago County library seeing a decrease in usage in the first quarter was Rush City, but that was a mere -0.4 percent.

Commissioner Montzka suggested that perhaps a new, bigger library building in the northern part of the county would help increase the usage and make the library service more equitable.

If it were to go in Rush City, Boese said, it would probably do well near the freeway as it was his understanding that city growth was moving in that direction.

Commissioner Mike Robinson, hailing from RC and representing District 5, said he believed the people liked the downtown location, especially those who walk to it.

Plans are to increase the size of the current RC library when the community center/senior dining program moves to its new location in the new senior housing complex under construction.

Commissioner Lynn Schulz was impressed with all the circulation numbers. During budget time last fall, she had suggested the less-than-100 percent funding to the library with the stipulation that if conditions warranted it, the budget be revisited during the year and the money be put back into the budget.

Last week, Commissioner Gustafson voted against the motion to increase the funding with the contingency money because he said the intention was to revisit the library issue in six months.

He said, after hearing from Boese, that it wasnít proper to revisit the issue now and that he was tired of special interest groups coming in to the board.

Gustafson said whatever has been added to the library funding together with the original amount will now become the base for future commitment.

Of the donated money (per diems and mileage), Commissioner Schultz said it should be carried over to next yearís budget because there is going to be a shortage then.

Boese had area librarians come and speak to the commissioners.

From Rush City, Jeanette Monthye commented, ìWeíre little but weíre mighty.î She said RC library does many more things than check out books. She noted that reference work is a major activity at that library.

Sue Monroe from North Branch said things are going great, that they are still issuing new cards and that people say the new building is ìbeautifulî when they enter. She also noted that the community room is well used and that volunteers have given 58 hours of service in the month of March.

Heidi Berg, Chisago Lakes new librarian, said she has received much positive feedback about the new building. Lots of people are using the computers, she said, as well as the community room.

Sherri Douglas from Wyoming said the people there are very excited about having a new library. So excited, she went on, that some wait outside the doors in the morning for it to open. Seniors enjoy using the computers to e-mail their grandchildren, she added.

Boese concluded his time at the board table by reminding the commissioners that citizens can get books from 14 branches through the ECRL system - and from all over the state.

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