Support the Brainerd Public Library 

Brainerd Public Library is jointly funded by the City of Brainerd, Crow Wing County, and Kitchigami Regional Library, and the Kitchigami Board of Directors approves changes to services based on the funding levels provided by our partners. This page contains information about possible changes and answers to some common questions.

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Quick links:
How is the Brainerd Public Library funded?
How much is the library used?
Who can I contact to express my support for the library?

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the library need more funding?

As a public entity, cities and counties pay for their local library buildings and services. Crow Wing County funding for the library has been the same since 2014, and City of Brainerd funding has not kept pace with inflation, so like any entity whose budget has not increased despite costs going up, we must adjust our services to match our funding levels. See this page for more information on how the library is funded. 

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What will happen if the library does not receive the funding it has requested?

It is likely that if funding remains at a similar level for 2025, the library will need to cut more services and reduce book purchasing and other items from the budget. 

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When will previous service hours return? 

The library does not have a timeline for if or when service hours will return.

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Why didn’t library patrons know these cuts could be coming? 

The library requested a funding increase from Crow Wing County at their meeting on August 8. The County Commissioners denied the request in the preliminary 2025 levy.

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Why can’t KRLS just use its reserves to supplement the cuts? 

KRLS operates eight other library branches in the region and using KRLS reserves for only one library would adversely affect the other libraries. There is currently a plan in place to spend down the reserves designated for the Brainerd Public Library over the coming few years, which reduces but does not eliminate the need for additional funding beyond the minimum required by the state.

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Why can’t the Friends of the Library use their funds to help out? 

The Friends of the Brainerd Public Library is a separate 501c3 nonprofit entity which raises funds using the work of volunteers.  FOBPL funds supplement the library’s operating budget to provide programs and materials that enhance the library’s services, such as extra copies of bestselling books, book club in a bag kits, author events, children’s summer reading programming activities and prizes, and much more. FOBPL funds do not replace money that is normally provided by the city or county for library operations, like staff wages and essential services.  

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Is there a way for patrons to get involved? 

Let your city and county representatives know how important the library is to you and ask them to fully fund the library’s request for 2025. A list of your County Commissioners and City Council members is available on this page. The Crow Wing County Truth in Taxation hearing will take place on Tuesday, December 17th at 6:00pm at the historic courthouse on Laurel St. in Brainerd.

Do you have more questions? Email the library!