MONROE COMMUNITY LIBRARY
THE MONROE LIBRARY
90-Day Extension Granted to Facilitate Ongoing Negotiations for Library Management and Funding
Monroe City Mayor, Council, and Administration are working with you, our valued community members, to improve the operations and maintenance of the beloved Monroe South Benton County Community Library and Monroe’s historic Train Depot and Library landmark. Your support is crucial in this endeavor.
A little history goes a long way!
Years ago, a group of passionate individuals from the greater Monroe community united to establish what we now proudly call the Monroe Community Library.
While Monroe, our city, owns the facility and pays for its maintenance, including cleaning up after events held in the meeting spaces, the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library manages the library staff and book inventory. They provide this service at the Monroe, Philomath, Alsea, and Corvallis community libraries.
At each of these Libraries, the library staff manages the applications for the use of the meeting spaces, including the applications for use, proof of liability insurance, and user rules and regulations. All these are governed by the Library Services Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA).
Fast forward to today!
The IGA has not been updated for some time. The organization responsible for the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library is not interested in making any changes to the IGA as the facility’s wear and tear continues to take its toll, the policies for managing the facility are not being followed, and the cost of cleaning up after users continue to increase.
These cost the City of Monroe more, significantly impacting funds for other critical city needs. These include support for the Benton County Sheriff, infrastructure maintenance, and community services, all vital for our city’s well-being.
What is Next?
1. After meeting with the City Legal Council, the City Mayor, Council, and Manager called an open Emergency Special Council Session for June 26, 2024, to review and request approval of a 90-day Library Services Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) extension. Without the extension, the agreement would end on June 30, 2024, and force the library to close until further notice on July 1, 2024. This step was legally necessary to ensure the Monroe Library remained open while the negotiations continued with IGA.
2. Those passionate about our library and willing and able to help our city officials need to step up, work with, and support the changes required of the IGA.
Working Together, We Win –
Divided, We Fail, and our Children Pay the Price!
BOOK AN APPOINTMENT TODAY
If you are interested in contributing to a solution that will positively impact the Monroe Library and our community, please take a look at this under-development URL and provide online feedback on the Monroe Events and Activities Website.
Under-development Monroe Library website – https://monroeea.org/monroe-community-library-updates/
Monroe Events and Activities Website – https://monroeea.org/
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