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Residents and library supporters urge council to preserve hours and funding amid 2026 budget concerns
Summary
Multiple public speakers told the council the Duluth Public Library is a vital, cost-effective community service and urged officials not to cut hours or funding as the city prepares the 2026 budget.
Two public speakers addressed the Duluth City Council to urge continued funding for the Duluth Public Library amid the city’s 2026 budget planning.
Susan Henke, who said she has served on the Duluth Public Library Board, described the library as “one of the most vital, cost-effective, and beloved public services in the city” and urged councilors to avoid cuts that would reduce hours. Henke said the library received more than 1,200 handwritten valentines from residents, representing unprompted statements about the library’s importance.
Jennifer Burgess, vice president of the Duluth Library Foundation board, said library use has increased since the pandemic and called maintaining current budget levels essential. She said program attendance is up and cited that “program attendance is up 28%,” arguing that reduced hours would close off the city’s only free place for many families to gather, use computers and access materials.
Why it matters: Both speakers said cuts to the library budget would likely translate directly into reduced operating hours; they noted limited evening and weekend service already and asked the council to preserve current operations for families, seniors and others who rely on the facility.
What’s next: The council acknowledged that the city faces difficult budget choices for 2026. No action was taken at this meeting; the library’s funding level will be decided as part of the city budget process later in the year.
