Supporters of North Trails Public Library concerned for its future
There is only one full-time staff member working at North Trails Public Library in Cherry Township after the other staff member’s position was eliminated near the end of May.
On Tuesday, June 9, members of the Friends of the North Trails Public Library and other supporters met with Butler County Commissioners Kevin Boozel and Kim Geyer to seek answers about the future of the library.
The former librarian whose position was eliminated, Kelly Terwilliger, also attended the meeting. She said she is fine with losing her job, but wants to make sure North Trails Public Library stays open.
Some of those who attended the meeting weren’t so optimistic, like North Trails Public Library’s former director, Kathy Kline.
“Whenever they have financial cuts, that’s the first place that gets hit,” Kline said about the library.
Kline retired from her position at the library in 2023.
Those in the meeting with Boozel and Geyer said they are worried North Trails Public Library will close, which would leave many people in the northern part of Butler County without access to books or a place to go for internet access.
Jean Adams, a member of the Friends group, said Moniteau School District, which is about two miles from North Trails, doesn’t have its own library, leaving North Trails as its access point. Others in the meeting pointed out the library provides internet access to students at Moniteau and Karns City Area school districts, among others.
“There’s an internet problem in northern Butler County,” Adams said. “People come to the library to use the internet.”
The Butler County Federated Library System has eight libraries under its umbrella.
Terwilliger said the library’s lease on its property at 1553 West Sunbury Road was renewed through the end of this year. She noted she had heard the lease would only be extended about six months.
She told commissioners Tuesday money for North Trails Public Library’s programs for the year is already budgeted through the federated system.
Terwilliger also pointed out North Trails Public Library does not have any staff or members on the Butler County Federated Library System board of directors. The board of directors is appointed by the Butler County Commissioners.
“We’re just asking to maintain what we have,” Terwilliger said. “We don’t have any representation — nobody would know that the library was closed until after it had already begun.”
Boozel said he would like to see a count of the people who visit the North Trails Public Library and statistics about its programs. He also suggested supporters of the library attend the county commissioners’ meeting on the morning of June 17, and the federated library system meeting that evening.
“I would be looking for the attendance and programming that would be affected,” Boozel said.
Lori Hinderliter, administrator of the Butler County Federated Library System, said the staffing situation at North Trails Public Library would be temporary, calling it a reorganization. She also said no decisions have been made regarding North Trails Public Library, but budget talks for the system will unfold later this year.
“The Butler County Federated Library System board is committed to providing library services to all residents of Butler County,” said Hinderliter, who is also the director of the Butler Area Public Library. “Rising costs, relevant programming and patron needs will be discussed at budget talks during the fall.”
