The Forsyth County Public Library Board of Trustees recently voted unanimously to increase the 2018 fiscal year budget by $234,500 for increased materials, additional operating expenses and new staff. 

In the proposal for increased 2018 funding that was approved by the board, the $234,500 was split between the Sharon Forks, Hampton Park and Post Road libraries, for different needs at the locations. 

The Sharon Forks Library was allotted $88,300 to account for the branch’s 18,000-square-foot expansion that is scheduled to be completed in early 2018. The proposal said that $38,900 of that sum would be for “janitorial and utilities expenses” and $49,400 for two 25-hour informational specialists to “staff the larger building and additional service station.”

The Hampton Park Library was allotted $71,500 to fund an “information services supervisor” position at the library. The proposal said the new supervisor position would be responsible for overseeing adult information and providing more adult programs at the library.

“Funding for this position would allow the library to provide services equal to that offered in other parts of the county,” the proposal stated. 

The Post Road Library was allotted $74,700 to fund two projects: a part time 25-hour information specialist position for $24,700 and $50,000 for the purchase of new materials.

The proposal noted that without the added funds for materials, “the budget to purchase materials for three locations will be divided among four, with each having fewer items to offer residents.”