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Library director outlines 2026 priorities, usage gains and funding questions for Saint Paul Public Library
Summary
Library Director Hartman reported rising use of Saint Paul Public Library in 2024 and sought board input on long-term funding for building renovations, safety staffing, materials purchasing power and program evaluation ahead of the city budget process.
Library Director Hartman presented the Saint Paul Public Library’s 2026 needs assessment and priorities to the library board, citing increasing usage in 2024 and flagging several budget and policy questions for the board and city as the budget cycle approaches.
Hartman told the board the library saw “1,200,000 people came through our doors of the Saint Paul Public Library in 2024,” a 9% increase over 2023, and said circulation rose 4% while e-circulation (ebooks and audiobooks) rose 16%. She emphasized the library’s continuing recovery and growth in public use following the pandemic.
“Print makes up 64% of our circulation,” Hartman said, stressing that physical materials remain a primary use even as digital demand grows. The director also reported larger year-over-year increases in program…
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