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Newton Public Library reports rising use, hires resource navigator and seeks 5% levy increase for 2026 budget
Summary
Library director Carrie Cusick told the commission the new library has driven increased visits and circulation and announced a partnership to place a United Way-hired resource navigator at the library. The draft 2026 budget includes a roughly 5% increase in tax-levy revenue and a scheduled payment toward the new building.
Carrie Cusick, executive director of the Newton Public Library, presented the library's 2026 budget proposal and service updates to the Newton City Commission.
Cusick said the new library has substantially increased usage: "In an average day that the library is open, we will see 298 people come in the door. We will check out 398 physical items. We'll check out another 159 digital items in our online collection." She said year-over-year circulation is up 18% and children's program attendance is up 48% in the first nine months in the new building.
Cusick described a formalized partnership with United Way of Harvey and Marion Counties and NMC Health to hire a resource navigator (a community-based social worker). The navigator will be employed by United Way, based at the library roughly 15 to 20 hours a week and also work in the community; Cusick said the hire was completed the previous week and the navigator will start July 1.
On funding, Cusick outlined the library's revenue categories: property tax levy (the primary funding source), South Central Kansas Library System (SCKLS) grant aid, state aid from the State Library of Kansas (a shrinking line item she flagged as potentially disappearing), Harvey County senior mill levy funds for large-print and home-delivery service, and a catchall "library income" account for donations and fines. She said the draft budget shows a roughly 5% increase in tax-levy revenue "which is right in line with valuations."
Cusick described expense changes as modest: improved knowledge of utility costs after a year in the new building has lowered the utility projection; professional development funding will increase; and the library has a multi-decade pledge arrangement with the city under which the library will make $65,000 annual payments toward the new building for 20 years. She explained the budget shows $35,000 of payment this year from budgeted funds because last year's prepaid fundraising pledges are now arriving in the foundation and will be used to cover the remaining amount.
She also highlighted community use of library meeting rooms: in May the library hosted 14 outside groups and is seeing regional and state-level meetings being scheduled in Newton. The meeting prompted no formal action; commissioners asked few questions and thanked staff for the report.
What happens next: This was a presentation and not a formal vote; staff will return with the formal budget as part of the city's budget process.
