After residents decried plans to defund it, this northern Utah library may have its life extended

After dozens of Cache County residents decried a budget plan that would shutter the area’s only countywide library, leaders are now weighing a lifeline that could keep it open, at least temporarily.

At Tuesday’s County Council meeting, Cache County Auditor Matt Funk suggested a $132,800 adjustment to the proposed 2026 budget that would fund the library for six months. The move could spare the library in Providence from shuttering by year’s end.

Without funding, roughly 30,000 county residents would lose access to library services, while the county would save about $230,000 annually.

Since County Executive George Daines introduced the defunding recommendation during budget discussions in October, residents across the county have flooded council meetings and reached out to council members, urging them to reconsider the plan that would save taxpayers less than $5 a year at the library’s expense.

“I probably received about 50 emails, and I think 48 of them were in favor of the library,” said council member Keegan Garrity. “So that is something I will take into consideration.”

On Tuesday, several residents spoke during a public hearing for the budget, describing the six-month library funding plan as a temporary “band-aid” that does not address the library’s long-term needs.

“I think the county should step forward and continue funding these services, as is their duty,” said Providence resident Emily Watterson.

The library funding is not yet included in the county’s proposed $115 million budget, and the amendment will be formally brought before the council next week, said Andrew Erickson, the county’s policy analyst.

Council Chair Sandi Goodlander said Tuesday the council may make a decision on the budget next week.

“We are actively working together to try and come up with solutions that are fair, that help with our budget,” Goodlander said, “but that still meet the needs of the people in the county.”