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Concord library budget shows modest program increases; trustees and staff warn interlibrary-loan and e‑resources face federal funding risk
Summary
City staff reported small increases in library revenues and expenses in the FY26 draft budget and told the committee that the interlibrary loan system (including digital services such as Libby/OverDrive) depends on federal and state funding streams that could be cut.
City Manager and library staff briefed the Finance Committee that the Concord Public Library budget proposed modest increases for FY26 while warning of external risks to interlibrary‑loan services and digital collections.
The manager summarized the library section of the operating budget: “Revenues budget to budget are up $6,000 or 2% ... transfers in from the Dane Trust is up $7,000 and that's to offset a portion of the library books and materials increases,” he said. Expense increases were largely wage and benefit changes tied to contracts.
Committee members asked specifically about federal and state funding for interlibrary loan (ILL) services and digital collections. The City Manager explained the risk: “A lot of that money that the state uses to run that program comes from the feds that could very much go away,” and warned that the van service and some staff costs have been paid with IMLS funds in the past. Library staff confirmed that services including Libby/OverDrive are funded through formula arrangements and central collection contracts administered at the state level and noted: “There's sort of the central repository for how it works ... all of that, again, is sort of unknown what would happen should that go away.”
On facilities and future expansion, staff pointed committee members to a CIP request in the capital budget for property acquisition related to possible library expansion. The library foundation indicated it will launch a fall mailer to inform residents about the building needs and to boost public support: “We're so glad that that acquisition of the property is in the plan for 2026,” said a foundation representative.
There was no formal vote on library appropriations at the meeting; staff said the city and trustees would monitor state and federal developments affecting ILL and digital resource funding and return to the council if adjustments were required.
