There are no community centers, no senior centers or youth centers. We have to serve all those purposes. We have become the community center, almost by default.

When the state cut library budgets a while back, I began to study fundraising techniques. The only two we haven't tried here are pay toilets and slot machines.

The state, county, and local governments here really don't support us that well.

We try to balance the collection. The staff and I walk a tightrope, and there are occasional contests.

Obviously, it's disturbing that any individual like that could be working with the youth of any community. We tried to do everything we could to prevent that.

The youth are returning here. The thirty-something group is on the community boards. They have to feel that there's some progress before they'll do that. The proof is that we've gotten younger as a community and that has just not been happening in North Dakota.