Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Library Budget Services topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Brookline library says visits, circulation rose in FY24; FY26 budget holds municipal-appropriation requirement
Summary
Library staff reported increased visits and circulation in fiscal 2024 and told the Select Board that the proposed FY26 budget will meet state municipal‑appropriation certification standards while funding programs for K–12 support, outreach and equity.
Brookline’s library officials told the Select Board on April 1 that visits, program attendance and digital circulation rose in fiscal 2024 and that the department’s proposed FY26 budget was structured to meet the Massachusetts municipal appropriation requirement and retain state certification benefits.
“ We welcomed 546,000 visitors in fiscal year 24, which was up from 470,000 the previous fiscal year,” Interim Assistant Director Ryan Brennan said, noting increases in physical circulation (about 814,000 items) and digital checkouts (about 243,000 ebooks and audiobooks).
Brennan outlined FY25 action items already underway — including a diversity audit of the collection, expanded programs for neurodiverse patrons and delivery of materials to homebound residents — and described FY26 priorities: support for K–12 and STEAM education, a collection strategy for the Library of Things, and a librarywide equity and inclusion strategy.
The department explained the municipal appropriation requirement that helps preserve state aid: certification requires an appropriation level equal to the average of three prior municipal appropriations adjusted by 2.5%. Library leaders said the FY26 municipal appropriation in the operating budget meets that threshold.
Board members asked about details including building maintenance, the effect of potential state funding cuts for statewide digital services, and using library locations as cooling centers during extreme heat events. Brennan said statewide systems that deliver interlibrary loans and shared digital resources — such as the Commonwealth catalog and statewide ebook/audiobook platforms — receive some federal funding and would be affected if those grants were reduced. He described outreach at public housing and plans for after‑hours and community programming.
Why it matters: The library is one of the town’s certified public library systems; maintaining the municipal appropriation level preserves state aid and systems access that benefit schools and residents across Brookline. The department also emphasized equity‑oriented programs and services that target residents who do not regularly visit library buildings.
Next steps: Library staff will continue implementing outreach, finalize a Library of Things policy and report back to the Select Board as FY26 budget deliberations proceed.
Sources and attribution: Statements attributed to Interim Assistant Director Ryan Brennan and library trustees, as recorded in the April 1 Select Board transcript.
