San Antonio Public Library requests $58 million for FY2026; proposed cut to Book Festival support draws attention

San Antonio Public Library Director Sukrit Goswami presented the library’s FY2026 proposed budget of about $58 million to the City Council budget work session on Aug. 26, highlighting investments in collections, technology, facility maintenance and community programming and explaining proposed staffing realignments.

Goswami said the proposed system budget includes $55.4 million from the General Fund and additional funding from library partners for a total system package of roughly $58 million. He told council the budget would invest about $7.3 million in books and other materials, $6.6 million in technology and $11.6 million in maintaining 30 library locations. The library proposed $1.2 million in capital project funding and a $710,000 technology replacement allocation to refresh devices across the system.

Why this matters: The San Antonio Public Library system is a high‑use, city service that provides free programs, digital access and civic space across neighborhoods. Budget choices affect collections, hours, maintenance of branch facilities and community programming that residents use daily.

Key points from the presentation

- Use and investment: The library forecasts nearly 2.6 million visits in 2026 and plans more than 12,000 programs. Goswami said circulation has grown from roughly 5.4 million checkouts in 2020 to about 10 million currently, and that investments are intended to keep wait times down and expand digital and physical collections.

- Capital and maintenance: Proposed capital outlays include HVAC upgrades (Collins Garden and Cody branches), a roof replacement at Forest Hill if funded, and deferred‑maintenance work at other sites. The budget includes $266,000 for furniture and equipment replacement at 22 locations.

- Staffing and efficiencies: The department intends to realign three areas and reduce eight positions in FY2026; staff said the realignment would not disrupt public services and that HR and city management will work to support affected employees.

- San Antonio Book Festival funding: The proposed budget reduces the library’s direct contribution to the San Antonio Book Festival to $100,000 (a cut from earlier years’ higher allocations). Assistant Director Dale McNeil and board representatives said the festival remains an important community event and that the Central Library would remain a venue; they urged council to consider the festival’s impact on school outreach and community engagement.

Board perspective and community anecdote

Jaspreet Kaur, chair of the Library Board of Trustees, told council a recently returned book that had been checked out in 1943 prompted international media attention and illustrated the public trust placed in libraries; she used the anecdote to emphasize why continued investment matters.

Council questions and service continuity

Council members asked for details about the library’s enhanced library card program, use of technology resources at partner organizations (for example, Haven for Hope), and timelines for capital projects. Staff said if funding is approved the Forest Hill roof replacement could be completed within a year; library leadership also described a phased educational campaign about capital and service changes if necessary.

Quotes

“San Antonio Public Library isn’t just about books. It’s about people,” Sukrit Goswami, library director, said in his opening remarks.

Ending

Library staff said the proposed budget aligns with the library’s five‑year strategic plan and seeks to preserve programs and access while identifying internal efficiencies; council members signaled interest in exploring partnerships and alternative funding for large community events such as the Book Festival.