The Greene County Libraries Association recently gave their 2021 fiscal year report at a Greene County Supervisors meeting.

While the six county libraries may have been closed in one manner or another during the 2021 fiscal year because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, there was a lot of usage. Across all county libraries, 48,626 materials were checked out by 5,519 patrons that have a library card. When any of the county libraries were open to the public, there were a total of 67,520 materials used within the library and 1,994 times the library computers were used. The 2021 fiscal year also included 385 programs where 11,475 people attended. 

Scranton Library Director Wendy Johnson told the Greene County Supervisors during their regular meeting on Monday that libraries have seen a shift in the other kinds of services they provide for their respective communities.

“We offer public computers, Wifi access, a warm or cool place to relax and be a refuge from a stressful home life, a friendly face and conversation for people who aren’t able to get out that much, and a meeting place for community groups or coffee groups.”

One exciting program that will be returning in 2022, after being postponed for two years, is Toddler Fest, which is planned for April 2nd. 

The Greene County Libraries Association asked the Supervisors for a 5.9-percent cost of living increase to the base wage, along with $1,000 for each county library and $9,150 for cooperative projects for a total of $83,880 for the 2023 fiscal year. The Supervisors will act on the request during the budgetary meetings.