COTTAGE GROVE – The City of Cottage Grove is facing a tight budget year after falling behind on audits and discovering serious accounting errors, leaving the city with a nearly $4.5 million shortfall. In an attempt to get the budget back on track, city manager Mike Sauerwein unveiled a proposed change to the public library.
The proposed 2026-2027 budget reflects changes to the library model. Although this is only one of several options under consideration, the change would look like moving from a staffed facility to a full-time head librarian supported by volunteers.
“We’re looking at a potential business model of hiring someone to be a full-time head librarian, and then also filling staffing positions with volunteers,” Sauerwein said. “It’s a business model that a number of other libraries use around the area, and so we’re hoping that it won’t result in a reduction in the level of service, but it could.”
The new fiscal year begins on July 1, so any changes will be seen around that time, according to head librarian Natasha Chitow.
“The proposed budget in its current form cuts our department’s operating funds by 56%, eliminating all staff but the head librarian. The expectation is that the remaining paid position is to supervise a ‘volunteer staff’ that could, in theory, support library services,” Chitow said.
Chitow pointed out some issues with this plan.
“Volunteers aren’t allowed to access staff computers or handle money on behalf of the library. The computer software that we use for managing our library’s collections and patron borrowing is only on the staff computers and contains private patron information, so allowing volunteers access is potentially opening up library patrons to identity theft and/or other unethical use of data that we manage,” she said.
Current library staff have already been informed that their positions might not be available come summertime.
The new model, “Could potentially result in a couple of folks having their positions no longer be funded as of July 1, and rather than waiting until the budget is finalized in June, I think the only ethical thing to do was to talk with folks ahead of time and just kind of tell them, privately and confidentially, that their positions may not be included in next year’s budget. I want to make sure that folks know about that as early as possible,” Sauerwein said.
According to Chitow, noticeable changes are expected to come if the library changes its model. Library hours will be significantly reduced, fewer programs will be available, outreach with partner organizations will end, and operations will slow.
Library-goers can anticipate the library being open fewer hours, with fewer programs and less time to plan them. Getting books in and processed will be slower. There will be fewer staff available for things like tech help, reader’s advisory, and just being neighborly with patrons outside circulation transactions, according to Chitow.
The proposed 2026-2027 budget outlines goals for the library for the next fiscal year. Some of those goals include offering diverse cultural and educational library programming with special events throughout the year, refining the book collection, promoting the Libby app for e-books and audiobooks, upgrading and expanding technology in the library, continuing outreach to the larger community about library services, and partnering and creating library events in coordination with South Valley Athletics to promote a healthier community.
“While volunteers are a wonderful asset, there is a shortage of volunteers among nonprofits in the area, and there is no guarantee that there will be enough regular volunteers to provide backup during all operating hours,” Chitow said.
Public turning out
Recent city council meetings have welcomed a surge of public comments from library supporters urging the council not to cut the budget.
“A lot of people are very alarmed at hearing about the draconian budget cuts coming to the library in the current sea of red ink in your budget deliberations. I’d like to ask you to rise up to the challenge of being a high-functioning organization and take this library issue as an opportunity to engage the community and find solutions to keep the level of service as it is or even increase it,” community member Fred Colgan said during a March 23 city council meeting. “The library is not just another line item in the budget. The library is an iconic piece of this community. Let me help you read the room: Who’s here because they want to support the library and are alarmed about cuts?”
About 75% of the audience behind Colgan raised their hand.
“This is a community issue. It’s a great opportunity for the city, for you, and city leaders to help the community come together and look for solutions to problems that may look insoluble if you’re just looking at numbers in a spreadsheet. The community is here and willing and able to get involved and solve the problems and keep the library functioning,” he said.
Accounting for errors
Resident Audrey Malan is calling for an investigation into the accounting errors.
“I request that the budget plan be placed on hold until an independent third-party investigation of this error is conducted and made public to the taxpayers,” Malan wrote in a note to the council.
“There are community members who are concerned and advocating for the library, in part looking for alternatives to cutting library services so severely that eliminating most of the staff can be avoided,” Chitow said. “I can’t predict how things will work out, but I am thankful that much of the community has reached out in support of our important work. Everyone deserves access to information and enjoyment of lifelong learning.”
According to city documents, around 4% of the city’s budget goes to the library. This is equal to roughly $550,000. Reducing it by the proposed cut would leave the budget with roughly $242,000. The library is staffed by 3.5 full-time equivalent workers. The proposed funds for total personnel are approximately $162,000, with the remaining budget allocated to materials and services.
“Reducing our staffing levels to one FTE and a team of as-yet-unrecruited volunteers is going to significantly diminish the operating hours, programs, and help that we can provide,” Chitow said.
