Frequently Asked Questions

 The library writes many grants for programming start ups and special programs. There are no grants that cover annual operating costs available. In addition, the library has a Friends group and a Foundation who both assist with raising money for the library. 

 If these measures pass, your property taxes for the library will be collected at current rates.  Please see Library Calculations-9-10-25.pdf, from the County Assessors office

At least part of your rent likely goes toward covering property costs – including annual property taxes – so renters also chip in to make sure our library district stays strong. 

 When the library had fines they generated about one half of one percent of library revenue. The district decided to stop collecting fines because it cost more in staff time and expenses to collect them than they provided in revenue. 

 If both ballot measures pass taxpayers will continue supporting the library at current rates and you will continue to see the strong library services the community has come to expect 

 The District will have no choice but to make cuts. The District will have fewer hours, likely fewer days of the week open, fewer new materials, less programming. All things the community has come to appreciate and rely on. 

 f 6A passes, it will raise the permanent, foundational levy for the library district to 3.85 mills. However, if 6B fails, this could severely restrict the library’s annual budget. According to 2026 projections, if 6B fails and the cap takes effect, the library would lose an estimated $400,000 in revenue. If 6B doesn’t pass, approximately $7 out of that $14 per year for a home valued at $250, 000 and $13.50 out of that $27 per year for a home valued at $500,000, would not be collected.  

 It limits annual growth in the district’s property tax revenue. 90% of the library district’s budget comes from property taxes. In years when our community is growing, putting pressure on library service, this cap would severely limit our budget and the services, programs and materials our community has come to rely on.  For example, between 2020 – 2024, the district grew at an average of 15% per year, allowing us to grow our services as our community experienced rapid growth. 

 If 6A fails the library loses about a quarter of its annual operating budget. This will mean cuts to hours, programs and services.

 Montrose Regional Library District budget 2025: https://www.montroselibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/2025-Master-Budget-Adopted.pdf 

 The Montrose Library District is organized to serve the community as a general center of reliable information and provide opportunity and encouragement for all individuals of the community to educate and entertain themselves.  The Montrose Library District serves as a free, tax supported institution available to all people of the community, regardless of age, ethnicity, education level, gender, sexual identity, income, employment status, or ability/disability. It is a source of print and non print material for personal enrichment, education, and entertainment. The library provides information services and programs for children and adults, supplemental material to be used by elementary and secondary school students, and is a source of access to other library systems. It serves as a center for reading, listening, viewing, and using the informational material and collections and is accessible to the disabled and home bound through its home delivery services.

The library offers computer stations for patrons to work on at the library and free high speed internet access.Technical help is available from a librarian with computer problems, printing from a computer, and making copies.  The library also supports community internet hotspots in Montrose and Olathe. 

Library patrons have access to a Library of Things which allows card holders to check out items such as sewing machines, gardening supplies, tools, kitchen items, a day hiking kit, power tools and games among many other items. The loan period for items in the Library of Things is 7 days. 

A full calendar of events for all is included on the library website at https://www.montroselibrary.org/events/. 

 Last year 57 volunteers worked a total of 3,808 hours for the library. Primarily they shelved books so the library did not have to hire pages. Volunteers also assist with programming, repair books and many other things  to support  library operations. 

 While volunteers are critical to the operation of the library the library has many highly educated, highly trained professional staff. We count on the staff to provide services and programs that  are outside the scope of what is possible with volunteers alone 

The library is broad minded and tolerant of every member of the community. A local public library is an integral part of the community as it is one of the few places in a community where a person can go and not be required to spend any money. Librarians can help each patron find the books, information and resources that are just right for them. The library supports community members in completing job applications, supervising formal tests for students at Colorado Mesa University-Montrose, provides information for the unhoused, has access to genealogical information, and supports all community members in so many ways. Supporting the library is supporting the community as a whole.  

 The Montrose Regional Library District (MRLD) fosters community by providing resources, encouraging reading, and supporting lifelong learning. Books and other materials are selected using MRLD’s Collection Development Policy. https://www.montroselibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Collection-Development-Policy-09.09.2024.pdf  

The Collection Development Policy, approved by the Board of Trustees, outlines the mission, vision, and goals of our strategic plan as they pertain to the development of library collections. As a living document, this policy assures that library collections reflect community needs.

 The Montrose Regional Library District follows federal and state law and Board of Trustee-approved policies that protect free speech and freedom of access to information. These policies include:

• The Library Bill of Rights from the American Library Association (ALA)
• The Freedom to Read Statement 
• The Freedom to View Statement 
• The American Library Association’s (ALA) guidelines on intellectual freedom and,
• Standards for Decisions Regarding Library Resources (Colorado Senate Bill 24-216) 

 75% physical;  25% split between eBook and audiobook

 Libby is a free app for mobile devices which allows users access to digital ebooks and audiobooks from the local library. The Libby app is attached to the patron’s library card. When accessing the app, patrons may browse through available eBook and audiobook titles and borrow available items. For those items not available, patrons may place a hold on the item and will be notified through the app when the title is available. 

 The annex is a facility where the library houses about a third of its staff. New materials are received and processed at the annex and Outreach services staff, their vehicles, collections, and programming materials are stored there. IT and maintenance staff are also at the annex. The annex also provides storage space for Friends of the Library to support their fundraising efforts. The annex cost $770,000 for 9,000 sq. ft 

 The District was asked by the state department to begin offering this service to augment and expand accessibility beyond what the Post Office could offer.

 The passport program takes photos for visas but otherwise doesn’t do visas.