The Grand County Library District

Our Mission:

Grand County Libraries: linking people to boundless opportunities.

Our Motto:

Mountain Libraries Elevate Minds

Our Purpose:

Curate valuable resources and services for every user to foster lifelong connections to the library
Make our diverse collections, expertise, and services available when, where, and how users need them
Be an essential service for our community

How is the library funded?

In 1994, voters approved a 2.41 mill levy to establish Grand County Library District. The library district has experienced declining revenues since 2011 with property values declining county wide. Based on the 2016 assessment being down another 3% from 2015, the district continues to streamline processes, further reduce spending, and set reserve limits all for the goal of achieving a balanced budget. In November, voters approved at .95 addition to the 2.41 mill levy to increase the total mill levy to 3.36 in an effort to reduce district debt by paying off the certificates of participation ten years early. The increase of .95 to the mill levy will expire in 2026 and the 2.41 mill levy will remain for operations.

2024 Budget Message:

The Board of Trustees of the Grand County Library District (“the District”) in accordance with the requirements of the Local Government Budget Law hereby submits the following budget message with the accompanying 2024 budget.

The District’s 2024 budget marks the 30th year of operation as a Special District. Our operations continue to provide the best possible library services for residents and visitors within the District’s boundaries (Grand County), consistent with available resources and the GCLD Mission Statement, Grand County Libraries: linking people to boundless opportunities. Our library services include: loaning of materials, reference information service, public computer and wireless access service, youth and adult programming, community room use, and remote catalog access—all free of charge.

Our primary source of revenue continues to be property taxes generated by the District’s voter-approved mill levy of 3.36.

The District’s 2024 budget was prepared based on the modified accrual budgetary basis of accounting. The District’s revenues are recognized when they become measurable and available as net current assets. Taxpayer-assessed income is considered “measurable” when in the hands of the intermediary collecting government and is recognized as revenue at that time.

Some of the District’s 2024 budget highlights:

The district’s assessed valuation increased 49% over 2022, which marks the sixth year in a row recording growth.
Revenues are budgeted $1,604,678 more than 2023 due to property value increases county wide as well as increases to in-kind contribution with Grand County Public Health and Mountain Family Center for continued financial support of the Senior Lunch & Learn programs.
The 2024 budget also seeks to obtain several grants related to sensory gardens and outdoor spaces adding to the possible revenue streams.
Friends of Grand County Library District have made a budget commitment of $21,350 in support of the district’s Summer Reading Program.
The special revenue fund expects to see $6,480 in expenditures and $11,656 in revenues for 2024. Also includes a $2,000 commitment in support of One Grand Book.
The budget allows for a 16% increase to personnel for three additional branch staff members and increased open hours at Juniper and Kremmling. This also includes funds for increases costs in travel, health benefits, and an increase to retirement matching made by the district to a total of 6%.
$23,000 in additional programming funds to continue the level of quality programming provided in 2023 as well as adding additional all age programs.
Due to the increased demand for digital media the materials budget saw the most increase to a total of 68%. The first budget where digital costs surpassed physical costs.
Technology will be replacing projectors, DVD players, VR equipment, printers, as well as large study room equipment at the Granby Library.
Technology and facilities are working together for staff furniture restructure for shared workspaces and ergonomic flexibility.
Computer replacements are expected to be conducted at the district office and includes an additional work station for new Digital Resources Librarian.
$50,000 has been budgeted for continued exploration of the Kremmling facility.
Capital projects are budgeted for $319,811 covering several building projects that are aesthetic in nature with furniture, landscaping and privacy screens but also large projects at Fraser Valley to include replacement of all furnaces as well as the fire dry line. Juniper is to have the outside building maintained and fascia replaced.
2024 budget has the purchase of a facilities maintenance vehicle. Granby and Kremmling both are expected to have new security systems and all boilers replaced along with backups to be done at Granby.
As the district debt was paid in full the additional revenues from property tax increases have been committed to the Kremmling Library by the trustees.
2023 budget has a net income of $1,688,093 due to debt payoff in full. Expectation at end of year is to still have $5 million in reserves to continue with sustainable library services.

Being adaptable in 2024 with regards to facility needs and technology is critical. Planning year for the Kremmling Library facility in order to break ground as early as 2026.

Overall, the Grand County Library District has a 2024 budget that is 20% greater than the 2023 adopted budget for operating expenses. This will enable us to expand our services from beyond the confines of facilities and explore with experts for diverse program offerings.