DC Public Library warns of fiscal uncertainty after city delay, possible federal funding cuts

At the March 26 meeting of the DC Public Library Board of Library Trustees, library leaders said the city’s fiscal calendar shift and possible federal funding changes create uncertainty for the library’s fiscal 2026 budget.

Board Chair Tony Williams told trustees the Office of Budget and Performance Management missed the previously communicated “pencils down” date, delaying the mayor’s proposed fiscal plan and moving back subsequent hearings and public engagement dates. Williams said outside revenue projections also show risks: one projection the board cited estimates the loss of about 440,000 federal jobs and $325 million in lost revenue in fiscal 2026, a shortfall the chair said could contribute to “over a billion dollars” in revenue losses over coming years that would affect city services including the library.

The executive director and staff described two federal funding risks the board is tracking closely. First, actions affecting the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) could reduce grant funding to libraries nationwide. The executive director said an executive order issued by the administration has instructed IMLS to limit its activities to those “statutorily required,” and the library is unsure which functions that would preserve. The library is currently expecting to rely on roughly $1.1 million in IMLS-related funding for the current spending year.

Second, the Federal Communications Commission’s “E‑Rate” Schools and Libraries program — which provides discounts for internet service and eligible technology — is the subject of litigation at the U.S. Supreme Court. Trustees were told that a loss of the E‑Rate program could cost DCPL an estimated $750,000 in support.

Rich (Executive Director, DC Public Library) said staff have been asked to outline a philosophy for prioritizing services in the event cuts materialize so the board can exercise oversight and weigh tradeoffs. “We will convey to the board a philosophy about what I think we deem is most critical, in the event that we will have to face some cuts,” Rich said during his report.

The board and staff emphasized that many of the federal threats are unclear in magnitude and timing. Trustees noted that national library organizations are engaged in advocacy and that the city’s budget schedule change will shift the timing of hearings and public outreach. Library staff said they will update trustees and the public as budget dates and federal developments become clearer.

Ending

Trustees did not take any formal vote on budget reductions at the March 26 meeting. The board asked the executive director and staff to prepare plans and priorities for possible FY26 impacts and to notify trustees and the public when the mayor’s schedule for the FY26 budget is finalized.