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West Haven Public Library urges council to approve FY26 funding, cites rising use and digital access needs
Summary
The West Haven Public Library director asked the council to support the proposed FY26 budget for libraries, saying library services account for about 1% of the city budget while offering critical internet access, programs and community services.
Catherine Bushman read a statement to the council on behalf of Colleen Bailey, director of the West Haven Public Library, urging support for the library’s portion of the proposed fiscal year 2026 budget.
"The library is a mere 1% of the city's total budget with that funding providing a myriad of resources from books and DVDs, access to computers and wifi, and many programs and spaces to learn and study," Bushman read, noting the library has increasingly served as a "third space" for residents and also acts as a warming and cooling center.
The statement said the library recorded 29,937 Wi‑Fi connections last year (a 19% increase) and 123,211 visits (an 8% increase), and described programs such as a digital navigator service that helps residents obtain and use long-term laptop loans after training. The statement also noted that roughly one in five West Haven residents lack internet access at home, and that library resources help bridge that gap.
The library representative thanked the mayor and finance director for meeting with the library on its budget request and asked the council to sustain funding so the library can continue to provide technology access, educational programs and community spaces.
