Frequently Asked Questions

The Garfield County Public Library District (GCPLD) has branches located in all 6 of the county’s communities and their surrounding areas: Carbondale, Glenwood Springs, New Castle, Silt, Rifle, and Parachute. These local library branches are proud to offer a wide collection of books, online resources, technology, free meeting spaces, and diverse programs to Garfield County residents.

Approximately 60% of voters self-report visiting the library at least once a month, which highlights that GCPLD libraries serve as vital community hubs that offer activities and programs for residents of all ages, alongside a wide collection of books, online resources, technology, and helpful, high-quality staff.

In 2025, the library had over 440,000 visits, checked out over half a million physical and digital books, hosted over 45,000 visitors to library programs, and recorded over 5,000 meeting room uses and nearly 12,000 study room uses. Check out our infographic below!

The funding that Garfield County voters approved to expand, improve, and operate all six Garfield County Public Libraries in 2006 is set to expire in 2027, which may result in budget cuts that affect current operations and services.

Yes! This ballot measure would simply extend the current 1 mill levy to continue funding operations and maintenance of the six library buildings without increasing taxes. If the ballot measure were to pass, the mill levy rate would remain, and homeowners would continue to pay the rate of $38 per year (based on the median assessed value — not market value — of a home in Garfield County) to maintain the libraries and their services.

Funding from this potential ballot measure could be used to:

• Keep our local libraries in good repair, safe, clean, and accessible

• Provide funding necessary to recruit and retain qualified staff

• Provide books, technology, and materials

• Partner with existing non-profits dealing with food insecurity, mental health issues, domestic violence, and other essential community resources

• Support other library services and programs

No. By law, all funds from a potential measure will remain under local control and may only support the Garfield County Public Library District.

GCPLD has a strong record of responsible financial management, balancing the cost of taxes on constituents and ensuring adequate resources for library operations. All District funds are audited on an annual basis.

The Garfield County Public Library District is fully transparent with our financials and budget and encourages you to access our current budget, previous annual reports, and audits on our website: https://gcpld.org/about-us/finance/

The property tax bill for seniors who apply for the Homestead Exemption will be reduced by 50% on the first $200,000 of home value. Learn more about the tax exemption for senior citizens here.

The Garfield County Public Library District is a self-governing library district governed by a board of seven trustees appointed by the Board of County Commissioners of Garfield County. Efforts are made to have at least one trustee from each of the communities served by a Garfield County Branch Library.

The measure is under consideration by the Board of Trustees and is eligible for placement on the mail ballot election on November 3, 2026.

To pass, the ballot measure must be approved by a simple majority of voters who cast votes on the measure (50% plus one).

As the Garfield County Public Library District plans for the future and explores ways to support staff salaries, ongoing building maintenance, and the library collection, services, and programs, we encourage your input. To learn more or share your thoughts, please contact Kevin Hettler at khettler@gcpld.org.