Money a major obstacle for countywide library plans

By Rachel Christensen

November 18, 2008 | With only Logan showing full support and North Logan expressing possible interest, development of a Cache County library system waits for more support, says Cache County Executive Lynn Lemon.

Normally such a task would cost $2.5 million, Lemon said, but in order to make county library workers' wages equitable with Logan city library employees it would cost Cache County $3.2 million. Add this amount to $600,000 in start-up costs and the situation has become a lot more costly, he said.

"I asked a consultant if it's worth the cost and he said no," Lemon said. "In his review, all those who were interested really only wanted access to the Logan Library."

The county would become responsible for all city library buildings if a county-wide system was formed.

"All but two are old buildings that have issues that the county would be expected to fix, whereas a city with limited funds isn't," Lemon said. "And this isn't included in the cost."

With the creation of a county library system, Lemon said all library workers would have to reapply for their positions and might not get their jobs back.

"I would hate to be the individual who has to break the news to someone who has worked [in a city library] for a number of years," he said.

Since only a few cities have expressed serious interest in the county library system, Lemon said the county will have to wait for more approval in order to move forward.

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