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Call to Action | Save Sioux City Public Library Funding

Library Funding Cuts Threaten to Harm Siouxland's Most Vulnerable

 

The Issue

The Sioux City City Council is proposing to cut the Public Library’s $4 million annual budget by $2 million/year by 2028—a 50% reduction. If enacted, these cuts would:

  • Close both the Morningside and Perry Creek branch locations
  • Eliminate the Hot Spot internet lending program
  • Reduce hours and lay off library staff

Library Director Helen Rigdon says the City is not giving the public the full picture about why these cuts are being proposed. The library’s funding squeeze stems partly from Iowa state property tax reforms passed in 2023 — a problem created primarily by Republican legislators in Des Moines, not by the library.

The library board has not yet agreed to these cuts. The City Council will vote on the budget on March 18. YOUR VOICE MATTERS NOW.

What You Can Do

  • Call your council members. All council members—Mayor Bob Scott, Mayor Pro Tem Julie Schoenherr, Councilmember Rick Bertrand, Councilmember Craig Berenstein and Councilmember Ike Rayford—can be reached at: (712) 279-6102.

  • Send them email. You can also email council members individually or send a message to all of them at once on their website.
  • Attend a council meeting and speak up. Council meetings are held the first four Mondays of every month at 4 p.m. in Council Chambers on the 5th Floor of City Hall. Attend in person to speak during the Citizen Concerns portion of the meeting.

Here's your suggested script:

“Hi, my name is [NAME] and I’m a Sioux City resident. I’m calling to urge [COUNCIL MEMBER NAME] to reject the proposed cuts to the Public Library’s budget.

Cutting the library’s funding in half would close two branch locations, end the Hot Spot lending program, reduce hours, and eliminate staff — hurting students, job seekers, seniors, and families across our city.

The library is already serving our community well. These cuts are not modernization — they’re a retreat from our commitment to every Sioux City resident. Please fund our library at current levels.

Thank you.”