Library officials tell council growth is straining operations; request 8% operating increase and long-term endowment strategy

New Canaan Library leaders told the Town Council at its March 18 meeting that an unexpected, sustained rise in patron use and program demand has strained operations and prompted an $291,000 operating request — an 8% budget increase for fiscal 2026 — along with a continuing campaign to grow the library’s endowment.

“ We are, in a nutshell, victims of our own success,” Ellen Corvato, chief executive officer of the New Canaan Library, said during a 30‑minute budget presentation that expanded into more than an hour of council discussion. Corvato and Cheryl Capitani described sharply higher visitation and program demand at the new McKinnon Library building, and cited facilities and staff compensation as the primary drivers of the budget request.

Library officials described recent usage metrics and program wait lists as evidence of the demand. Corvato said the new building is recording roughly 35,000 visitors per month — higher than peer libraries — and that children’s programming and meeting‑room demand have been especially strong. She told the council the library now operates 64…