Hundreds of folks have been attending Beltrami County Board meetings and contacting the commissioners about proposed cuts that eliminate all of the $7,500 contribution to the Beltrami County Historical Society and cut the Bemidji (and Blackduck libraries) by 42%.

The cut to the Bemidji library is $175,000, or 0.15% of the total (county) budget, bringing it down to Minnesota's required minimum, a number based on 2009 dollars.

These cuts will result in the loss of jobs for three out of the nine people on the library staff, and the reduction of open hours from 56 to 35 per week. Many community members have spoken of the library's distinct role in providing free services to every community member, including people who may not have access to books and media, as well as computer services and W

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