State Library presents $21.8 million biennial request; seeks librarian to address federal publications backlog

The Joint Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on General Government held a public hearing Feb. 11 on House Bill 5017, the State Library of Oregon's 2025–27 budget request. Courtney Rogers of the Department of Administrative Services presented the governor's recommended budget, and Wendy Cornelison, state librarian and director, described agency programs, priorities and a requested position to address a backlog of federal publications.

The governor's recommended budget for the State Library of Oregon is roughly $21.8 million for the 2025–27 biennium, Courtney Rogers, DAS chief financial officer, told the committee. Rogers said the budget reflects “a steady increase in total expenditures” driven by higher general-fund and other-fund allocations while federal funding has remained relatively stable following COVID-era changes.

The request includes core funding split across personnel, services and supplies, and special payments. Cornelison said personnel account for roughly half of the agency's budget, with library support and development receiving the largest program share. The State Library receives funds from several sources: general fund, other funds (primarily assessments charged to state agencies), and federal funds through the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grants.

Why it matters: the agency supports public libraries statewide, provides research and government information services to state employees and legislators, operates the Talking Book and Braille Library for Oregonians with print disabilities, and distributes Ready to Read grants that local libraries use for early-literacy and…