DOGE cuts threaten Fargo Public Library programs

FARGO (KVRR) – The director of Fargo’s public library says some of the city’s most popular library programs are at risk from DOGE cuts in Washington, D.C.

Tim Dirks says the organization that oversees grants that go to state libraries was abruptly closed within the last few days, employees sent home and the building locked.

Since then, they’ve brought back a handful of employees, so it’s not clear if the cuts will still go through.

If they do, it will end Fargo’s interlibrary loan program, the online language program, and the ancestry program.

It will also stop more titles being added to the online borrowing program.

That’s already so popular, it’s common for many titles to have a weeks-long wait list.

And, Dirks says, the cuts would impact North Dakota’s rural libraries even more severely.

He joined the Morning Show to talk live about what it would mean for the library’s programming and what to expect next.

https://fargond.gov/city-government/departments/library