Jean M. Thomsen Library in Stetsonville needs support

The Jean M. Thomsen Memorial Library in Stetsonville faces funding challenges, but the community can help ensure the library is here to stay.

People can support the library by coming in the door, checking out items, donating, getting gas at the Pride Pump at the Clark station in Stetsonville, and advocating for library funding at the Stetsonville Village Board and Taylor County Board meetings.

While the library has yet to recover to pre-COVID circulation numbers, its costs of operating have increased dramatically due to inflation, exacerbating the library’s funding issues.

“Overhead costs like utilities have all increased as well as operating costs like supplies, materials, and wages. These increases have outpaced the funding, leaving libraries to rely on donations and fundraisers as revenue sources, or else decrease service hours, staff and items available for circulation,” said Carla Huston, library director. “We need to see an increase in funding if we are going to continue at the rate we are. Otherwise, you’re going to see collections shrinking, service hours shrinking because you just don’t have staff.” Hours have already been cut back from 31 average hours per week in 2022 to 26 average hours per week in 2023.

Public funding for the library largely comes from Taylor County and the Village of Stetsonville. As such, people interested in supporting the library can voice support for library funding at Taylor County Board meetings and Stetsonville Village Board meetings. They can also contact county supervisors.

Another way to help the library is to use the Pride Pump at the Clark gas station in Stetsonville. The Clark gas station is part of Medford Cooperative, and the co-op funds donates three cents per gallon to the library (co-op members still get their three-cent discount when they use the pump). Funds from the Pride Pump have been crucial to the library as of late.

“In 2023, that is purchasing the majority of all of our materials, our DVDs and books,” Huston said.

Considering its benefits to the community, the library provides a multitude of services beyond what circulation figures account for. People go to the library for technology help, internet connection, database access, assistance with job applications, a study spot, book clubs, craft nights, and children’s programs. Even with all of these services, Huston joked that the number one reason ppaeople come to library is to visit Finn, a dog who is the library’s mascot.

Library services cover a wide base of needs in the community. With rapid technology change, basic help with using a cell phone or printing documents makes a significant difference to those who aren’t technologically adept. In an increasingly polarized society, children’s programs and adult programs foster a sense of community. A newer service, book delivery, helps elderly individuals and children who can’t physically go to the library. People need only to call and request items are delivered, and a library staff member will bring the materials directly to their homes.

“It’s far more than just the books,” Huston recapped. “It’s all of those little things. You feel like you’ve made a difference in their day today, and that’s really a great way to feel about your job.”

Above all, Huston said the library is a place where the community can gather: “My biggest thing is everyone feels welcome. There’s no judgment here on anybody.” The library operates on a fee-free policy. Huston said she “never want[s] finances to be a barrier to access.”

For kids, having a safe place to go to is especially important. Huston recalled an instance when an elementary-aged child recognized her at the grocery store and ran up to say hello: 'That is really heartwarming because I loved libraries as a kid. To know another kid might grow up loving libraries because he saw a friendly face is super cool to me.”

A common misconception is the library in Stetsonville is a satellite or branch of the Medford library. This is not true. They are separate libraries. The two libraries are, however, both in a library system called WVLS, which means that a card from the Stetsonville or Medford library can be used at 35 public libraries across seven counties in Wisconsin.

To continue to be an asset to the community, the library is looking for feedback about what programs and services the community wants. Huston encourages people to share their thoughts at the library or connect with the library on Facebook @Jean M. Thomsen Memorial Library.

Looking forward, the library will need building repairs. They are taking donations of any amount to help with the building fund.