Marathon County Board of Supervisors Considering Realigning How County Libraries Are Funded

Monday, October 16th, 2023 -- 9:00 AM

(Mike Leischner, WSAU) The Marathon County Board of Supervisors is considering realigning how libraries in Marathon County are funded and what books each municipality offers.

According to Mike Leischner with WSAU, it started when county board member David Baker was debating what HVAC system the county would buy for the Marathon County Public Library in Wausau. It grew into a larger conversation about how all libraries in Marathon County are funded.

Baker said he wants more time to make an informed decision on what HVAC system they should get, but also wants the board to have a broader conversation about what children’s books are acceptable based on community standards.

He is asking to look at why each municipality is not responsible for its own library buildings. The city of Wausau is not responsible for the Marathon County Public Library in particular because the building was given to the county in the 1990s.

“Is it equitable for all of the municipalities that have a library, a branch library to pay for everything, not everything, but the building and the HVAC system?” Baker questions. Another thing Baker wants the board to think about: what books libraries offer.

“If you lean one way and want your children to do that, you could go to the Wausau Library,” said Baker. “If you don’t want your children to be exposed to that, you go to a branch library.” The books would still be in a county library, but municipalities could set their own standards and choose what to provide.

Baker said he hopes the board will look into both the books and funding issues; and determine what they can do under state and federal law.

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