Carmel-by-the-Sea trustees review proposed 2025–26 library budget as city signals possible cuts

Carmel-by-the-Sea — The Carmel-by-the-Sea Library Board of Trustees reviewed a proposed 2025–26 line-item budget and discussed potential impacts from the City Council’s draft city budget, including a possible $50,000 reduction in library funding that could affect staffing and hours.

The library’s staff report to trustees said there are no major programmatic changes proposed for the coming year, and summarized current revenue and expenditure assumptions. “We were conservative with the interest rates,” the staff member said, noting the board’s estimate of $25,000 in interest income and a projected $35,000 from Friends of the Library donations. The staff member said total anticipated income for 2025–26 is about $430,000, an increase of roughly $1,500 over the current year.

Trustees were briefed on planned equipment and IT spending. The report said the library holds an equipment replacement reserve of about $100,000 and that an initial estimate for a wholesale replacement of public and staff computers is about $25,000. The replacement of the circulation desk at the Park Branch — described as a “big wall” that hinders service to children — was presented with multiple cost estimates; trustees asked about a $14,000 figure for that replacement. The staff member said demolition/plumbing/electrical issues had been checked with public works and should not require building rewiring.

Library staff also discussed Windows upgrade timing and options for IT support. “We will need to update to Windows 11,” the staff member said, adding that some machines will need replacement and that the library might use its equipment reserve for any midyear purchases. The board directed staff to bring the topic of whether the library should remain on the citywide IT system back as a future agenda item.

Programs and materials were reviewed. Attendance and program participation were described as strong: weekly story times, “baby and me” yoga, expanded teen programming including Dungeons & Dragons, an author visit that ties the library to the school district, music programs, and expanded local-history oral histories. The staff member said hard-copy children’s circulation remains “robust” and that adult print circulation is increasing slowly but has not returned to pre-pandemic levels. The board was told that space constraints, not demand, are the primary limit on expanding certain collections such as graphic novels.

On digital services, the staff member summarized the library’s subscriptions and partnerships: the library purchases e-content through the Northern California Digital Library (OverDrive/Libby), has tested digital magazines through Newsstand, and maintains a Kanopy subscription for films and television at about $2,000 per month. Hoopla usage was noted as previously large for audiobooks before its sunset; Flipster magazine subscriptions will be discontinued in June and funds reallocated to OverDrive and Kanopy. The staff member said the Palace Project remains uncertain pending state and federal budget actions, and that the library included a $2,500 placeholder in the budget in case a New York Times online subscription is pursued, pending final pricing and statistics.

Trustees were alerted that the City Council’s recommended budget is shifting how it manages operating vs. capital spending and that a financial stewardship working group is reviewing options. The staff member said the council’s materials show the city at roughly 92% operating and 8% capital outlay compared with a 90/10 target, a gap the staff estimated at about $600,000. The city is weighing various cuts and accounting changes; the staff report mentioned a possible $50,000 reduction to the library budget as one of several options. The board was urged to follow the council’s upcoming budget workshop and submit questions; the staff named a May 21 council workshop where the council expected to discuss the budget in depth.

Saturday hours remain unresolved. The staff member said the library hired four part-time employees to support Saturday hours but that a union-related obstacle has prevented implementation. Trustees requested the new board prioritize an agenda item explaining the constraints and options around Saturday hours once the new trustees are seated.

The meeting included one formal action: trustees voted unanimously to continue review of an architect agreement (agenda item 1) to a date uncertain and to hold a special meeting if needed.

Votes at a glance: motion to continue agenda item 1 (agreement between the architect and the city) to date uncertain — Passed (Marie Claire Gorham: yes; Susan Murphy: yes; Phil Pardue: yes; Mary Jo Williams: yes; John Krisscher: yes).

The staff member said quarterly midyear budget reviews will be added to ongoing reporting and that final budget adjustments will be incorporated after the library receives final figures for interest income, New York Times pricing (if pursued), and any guidance from City Council. Trustees were asked to send any additional direction to staff before the board’s next scheduled meeting.