ST CHARLES, Mo. — On Tuesday, the St. Charles City Council unanimously passed a resolution to oppose possible library closures.
The resolution acknowledges the importance of libraries and opposes the possible shutdown of three libraries in St. Charles County.
Wentzville and St. Charles County have passed similar measures.
This resolution comes just 26 days before these libraries could close.
St. Charles County residents have led protests and spoken out on multiple occasions to try and save the libraries.
Brian Cornell said his family recently moved to the area near the Kisker Road Library. He said coming to the library is a regular part of their routine.
“I think it's absolutely important. We come here at least once a week, maybe two times a week and trade in books, and it's a wonderful resource for us to allow her opportunities to read all kinds of different books and learn about different things. She loves it here. She likes to play and hang out. So it'll be really missed,” Cornell said.
It is one of the branches on the chopping block right alongside McClay Library and Deer Run, which would turn into a warehouse.
About 64 jobs would also be cut.
“What's happened to our city county library district is unbelievable. The special meetings leading up to it saying that the district is in financial trouble is concerning,” St. Charles County resident Arnie Dienoff said.
St. Charles City-County Library officials said these closures and changes could happen because in two years revenues will fall behind the costs.
The library did not respond to our request for comment on Tuesday, but CEO Jason Kuhl said at a board meeting last month they’ve done everything they can and there’s just nowhere else to cut.
"We've changed our hours. We've closed on Sundays for a period of time. We've been exhausting all possibilities. Thinking as creatively as possible," Kuhl said.
All 10 City Council members in St. Charles don’t want to see these closures happen voting in favor of a resolution opposing the closures and recognizing the importance of libraries.
The vote on the fate of those jobs and library branches is scheduled for the next library board meeting on June 18.