By Jason C. Mattox

For the first time in several years, the Batesville branch of First Regional Library did not request a budget increase from the Batesville’s mayor and Board of Aldermen.

First Regional director Catherine Nathan and Batesville branch manager Jennifer Hall met with city leaders Tuesday afternoon, when they requested no increase over last year’s funding.

Mayor Jerry Autrey and aldermen will begin preparing the new fiscal year budget in July.

“We want you to know that we appreciate the assistance the city provides to us at the library,” Nathan said. “Your funding goes a long way into making this library a success.”

Nathan said the current library leadership was happy to report there have been fewer disturbances in the library over the past year.

“As many of you know, we had a lot of complaints on young people on Tuesday afternoons,” she said. “With Jennifer’s help, we have been able to change that.”

Hall explained that opening up the large meeting room to the older students who use the library on Tuesdays has helped cut back on the noise and other disturbances.

There has been a 3.49 percent increase in materials checked out, and approximately 3,400 people visited the branch, according to Hall.