Library board reviews preliminary 2025–26 budget; staff training and program lines highlighted
Loading...
Summary
Library leadership reviewed an early draft of the 2025–26 general fund budget on March 10, proposing to reallocate small amounts from underused lines to staff education and maintain robust program funding for summer reading.
Library staff presented a preliminary draft of the 2025–26 general fund budget to the Library Board on March 10 and described planned adjustments to line items ahead of formal budget hearings.
Staff said wage, insurance and retirement figures are set by the Board of Mayor and Aldermen and marked in the draft as read‑only for the library. Among proposed changes the board discussed: increasing employee education funding to $1,250 by reallocating small, underused line items (including $300 from other professional services and $500 from advertising), lowering the compact disc/materials line to $100, and moving subscription/platform fee descriptions to reflect digital services like Libby and OverDrive.
Staff said about $8,000–$10,000 of the library’s program budget (reported at $20,800) typically supports summer reading performers and supplies; the board noted that performing budgets in other towns are much smaller and said the library’s higher program funding allows for higher‑quality performers and free family programming. The finance director, Danielle, is coordinating consolidation of some operating supply and office supply line items to simplify coding; staff said total funds will not be reduced by the consolidation.
Board members asked for clearer, updated descriptions on older line‑item labels that reference outdated media formats; staff said the state is updating descriptions and the library will adjust language to reflect current platforms.
