JOLIET A years-long transition to digitize material remains a massive undertaking for public libraries across the U.S. but that changeover can decelerate quickly when faced with flat funding, space constraints and a constant need for upgrades and repairs.

Libraries are further behind the technology curve than leaders want them to be, making it harder to serve communities.

The Joliet Public Library is addressing some of these challenges this year.

Library leaders are in the early stages of developing a strategic planning program. Last week, the library system hosted focus group sessions at the downtown location and its Black Road branch to gain input from the public.

A balancing act in Joliet

The Joliet librarys $6.83 million budget coupled with the librarys $5.73 million property tax levy that hasnt budged in five years leaves little wiggle room for capital improvements and future planning, said Kevin Medows, Joliet Public Library director.

We have two primary concerns. One is keeping the building operational. Our normal annual budget needs to be able to do that, Medows said. Then theres sort of this big picture, and that is shaping our whole physical space to serve our public the best way possible. Thats going to happen through renovations.

Years of flat property tax revenue have forced the library to use its reserve funds, Medows said. The library is eyeing a tax increase in 2016 to avoid depleting its operational and capital improvements reserves, he said.

This year, the library pulled $650,000 from cash reserves to pay for a long list of capital expenditures and slated equipment replacements. The library has a faulty HVAC system, an aging roof and other much-needed building repair and maintenance issues.

Some of that money also will go toward expenses related to service contracts and increased workers compensation.

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Maintenance costs, tech upgrades a balancing act for cash-strapped Joliet Public Library

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