Spring Meeting

Come learn about the Cache County Library (15 N. Main Street, Providence) at our Spring Meeting!

Thursday, March 19th from 6-7pm.

Enjoy a tour and quick history of the County Library along with treats, chatting, and crafting.

Hope to see you there!

Letter to the Cache County Council

31 October 2025

To the esteemed members of the Cache County Council:

The Cache Valley Library Association Executive Committee understands that the proposed defunding of the Cache County Library is a complex issue that has many implications, and we appreciate the time and effort that have been put into the budget recommendation. It is clear to us that Executive Daines has researched and thought about the issue at length, and CVLA also appreciates that Executive Daines is “in favor of public support for libraries,” as he wrote in his Library Recommendation document of October 15.

95% of Americans ages 16 and older agree that the materials and resources available at public libraries play an important role in giving everyone a chance to succeed, and 94% say that having a public library improves the quality of life in a community.(1) Public libraries consistently rank as one of the most-trusted public institutions in the United States.(2) As Cache Valley library professionals, we recommend taking the following principles into consideration, no matter which outcome the Cache County Council ends up choosing:

Libraries are institutions that provide and protect deep-rooted American values:

Community

• In the age of artificial intelligence, there is an unprecedented need for both credible resources and human connection. Libraries provide both, and much more.
• Libraries are one of the few remaining public spaces that reflect community identity and defend the common good.
• Libraries offer a place for community groups to meet and collaborate, in casual and organized ways alike.

Fairness

• We believe it should be easy for residents to access both physical and digital library services, no matter where they live.
• Free library service for all users is a democratic value which provides equal access to many benefits:
• Learning and discovery
• Author readings
• Story times and other youth programs
• Reader’s guides
• Book clubs and social gatherings
• STEM education
• Access to technology such as printers, WiFi, computers, and maker tech
• Unique materials (telescope, headphones, tools)
• Libraries provide a healthy, safe environment for users of all ages and backgrounds.

Value

• Some government and community services are valuable enough that they should be funded by a broader base than those who use them (or use them most)—such as fire departments, schools, and public libraries.
• We recognize that the value of libraries is not necessarily obvious to all members of the public, so libraries are increasingly working to market their traditional and innovative services to potential users.
• Return-on-investment calculations vary, but they generally point to many times the amount invested; estimates place this figure at anywhere from $5 to $30 returned for each dollar spent on library services.(3)

The Cache Valley Library Association understands that the economic considerations guiding Executive Daines’ recommendations have multiple dimensions and deserve to be discussed with as much context as possible. Our goal in mentioning benefits of public libraries is to add to that complex discussion by reminding the Council and the public that protection of library service is a matter of prudent and practical governance. We thank you for your time and offer our professional expertise in any way that can be useful for your deliberations. In conclusion, we would like to share the words of George H. W. Bush:

“Libraries provide the kind of ongoing education that each man, woman, and child will need in order to remain a fully productive and fully participating citizen.”(4)

The Executive Committee of the Cache Valley Library Association



Sources:

(1) https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2013/12/11/libraries-in-communities/

(2) https://www.aamchealthjustice.org/news/polling/trust-trends

(3) https://www.lrs.org/documents/closer_look/roi.pdf

(4) https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PPP-1992-book1/html/PPP-1992-book1-doc-pg400.htm

And, drumroll please.....here is your 2020 CVLA Executive Committee:

President Elect:

Natalie Gregory, Logan Library

Secretary:

Robert Heaton, USU Merrill-Cazier Library

Member at Large Public:

Hollie Dabb, Logan Library

Member at Large School:

Bonnie Odd, Ridgeline High School

Member at Large Academic:

Andrea Payant, USU Merrill-Cazier Library

Member at Large Paraprofessional/Student:

Brynnan Sainsbury, Cache County Library

Congratulations All!

URGENT: How You Can Help Save The Cache/Rich Bookmobile

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

➨ Call or email the Cache County Executive and you council member ASAP (Contact info here: https://www.facebook.com/notes/save-the-cacherich-bookmobile/cache-county-contacts/1786452141632798). Respectfully tell them you're not okay with the bookmobile being de-funded. Ask your friends, family, coworkers, library patrons, etc. to do the same.
➨ Attend the next Cache County Council meeting in support of the bookmobile: https://www.cachecounty.org/countycouncil/countycouncil.html. Bring signs, friends, family, coworkers, library patrons, etc.
➨ Invite your Facebook friends to like the campaign page for updates and to show their support.

Urgent: Library Advocacy Needed

Dear CVLA and community members,

As reported on Cache Valley Daily on Sep. 14, Cache County Executive Craig Buttars is currently considering de-funding the Cache / Rich Bookmobile and Cache County Library. We are very concerned about the impact of such a move on our communities, and also the employees of these essential organizations.

Last week, our CVLA Executive Committee created an advocacy committee to explore ways we might promote our libraries, especially the bookmobile and county library at this time. You'll hear more from the committee in the near future. If you are interested in assisting in this effort, even if only for a short time, please contact me ASAP at joseph.anderson@loganutah.org.

In the meantime, if you feel so inclined, please respectfully express your opinion on this issue to Executive Buttars at (435) 755-1850 or craig.buttars@cachecounty.org before he presents his preliminary budget to the council during their Oct. 11 meeting. You can also like the new Save the Cache/Rich Bookmobile Facebook page for updates and to show your support.

We know how important libraries are in the lives of our community members. We know how important the bookmobile is, especially to our rural communities. We know the amazing rate of return on investment in libraries. We're not giving up on our communities, their libraries, and their employees!

All the best,

Joseph N. Anderson
CVLA Advocacy Committee Chair