Wilton Manors’ library could soon just be a library in Wilton Manors. The city is actively in talks with Broward County to absorb the independent library.
As recently as last week, July 15, Assistant County Administrator Kevin Kelleher sent a progress report to Wilton Manors City Manager Leigh Ann Henderson.
“At this point, our staff has completed the initial review, and [the] County Administration is actively weighing all operational and financial considerations.” He said the county should finish their feasibility analysis by the end of the year.
The idea of giving the library to the county was floated about a year ago by then Commissioner (now Vice Mayor) Chris Caputo. The city was facing a tough budget year. The library survived and initial concern died down.
But the idea was, and is, very much alive.
The Gazette has obtained a memo from Henderson to the county dated December 3, 2024 asking to explore consolidation.
“I am writing to request a meeting to discuss the possibility of Broward County assuming management of the City of Wilton Manors’ public library.”
The city and county met in February to look at proposals and details. At a budget workshop in June, Caputo again brought up the idea. Mayor Scott Newton quickly chimed in that the library is in the budget.
Last week, the city’s Financial Advisory Board (FAB) was looking over the entire budget when the library was brought up. Henderson said the request is extremely rare.
“There really isn’t a template for how long this works. They couldn’t even recall the last time they absorbed a municipal library.”
Fully Funded?
Some say the fact that the library is funded in the budget and a new roof is likely coming soon is proof of the city’s commitment. But that budget could be hiding other motives.
The proposed library budget is being cut by about $200,000, or 20%. That means two librarian positions will be eliminated and the library’s operating hours will be cut. As it is now, the library is only open 44 hours over 5&½ days per week.
The cut of $200,000 is about 0.03% of the budget.
The cuts may be a way to make the library more attractive to Broward County. In the July 15 email, Kelleher said they are “examining staffing models, facility requirements, technology needs, and service-level impacts across the system.”
The email also encourages city staff to “let us know if you have any additional information — such as updated facility plans, projected local programming schedules, or revised service metrics — that could inform our final assessment.”
“Facility requirements” could mean the city will need to replace the roof no matter what. “Revised service metrics” could infer that the proposed cuts to the budget, staffing, and operational hours are designed to get the library lean enough for the county to step in.
The city acknowledges the library is popular with residents, but thinks consolidation could offer “economies of scale.”
Many residents believe the library’s independence offers an extra layer of protection against censorship from the book-banning Republicans who control the state.
County control means the library could become just another branch in the system and be subject to across the board cuts, even if it’s already lean and efficient. Currently, residents can bring issues to city leadership, including elected commissioners. If the county takes control, complaints and concerns could be handled by a faceless, bureaucratic monolith.
Nothing is set in stone yet. The city has until Sept. 30 to pass the final budget.
Photo via wiltonmanors.gov.
