Jacksonville library director says New Berlin Road branch faces $5 million shortfall; outlines master plan timing and usage trends

Tim Rogers, chief librarian and library director for the Jacksonville Public Library, told the Special Committee on Duvall Do's on June 3 that the New Berlin Road branch as currently designed has an estimated cost of $18,800,000 and that the project faces a funding shortfall of about $5,000,000.

Rogers said the library will begin a systemwide master plan in fiscal 2026 to align physical branches, digital services and outreach with changing use patterns. "Our job is to provide the best library service that we can with the funding that is proposed by the mayor and appropriated by city council," Rogers said.

The library director presented usage data showing growth across both digital and in-person services despite a smaller budget. He told the committee distinct virtual active cardholder counts rose about 16 percent compared with two years earlier and that virtual transactions increased roughly 30 percent in that period; physical use of library locations rose about 44.2 percent over two years and about 4.8 percent in the last year. Rogers said those figures were year-to-date through May 24 and that some data collection methods still need improvement.

Rogers summarized current and pilot service models the system operates or is testing, including a books-by-mail program aimed at homebound residents, locker pickup locations (citing Ocean Way as a large user), curbside delivery and several drive-up windows, plus widespread self-check technology. "Eighty to eighty-five percent of all circulations go through those self-check machines," he said. Rogers also noted that digital licensing can be substantially more expensive than print: "an ebook can cost anywhere from six to 12 times more than the same print book," which affects purchasing decisions.

Council Member Mike Gay asked whether the $18.8 million projection for New Berlin Road is sufficient. Rogers replied that architect estimates indicate a roughly $5 million shortfall. "Based on the estimates provided by the architect ... we still need about $5,000,000 more to cover the costs of the building as designed currently," Rogers said.

Members discussed potential funding approaches; Chair members signaled willingness to explore identified CIP balances but heard from fiscal staff that certain fair-share funds are restricted (see separate committee discussion). Several council members emphasized the need for the master plan to be driven by community input and to tie facility investments to measurable service outcomes.

Rogers said the library conducts public-opinion research with the Public Opinion Research Lab at UNF. He reported that recent survey results in the library’s annual report showed 95 percent of respondents called the library important to maintaining a literate community, 92 percent said it matters for lifelong learning and 87 percent rated the library a good or excellent use of public dollars.

The committee did not take formal action on the New Berlin Road funding at the meeting; Rogers said he expects much of the conversation to continue in the city budget process and reiterated the library’s intent to begin a system master plan in FY26.

Ending: Committee members thanked Rogers and said the library project and master plan would be considered further in upcoming budget hearings and remaining committee meetings in June.