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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 attendance and community room use—programs and attendance “are up 2,432%,” she said—and that computer and Wi‑Fi sessions rose roughly 97%.
Hartman framed the presentation around six strategic goals and used “how might we” questions to invite board discussion on key priorities: securing public funding to complete the private–public Transforming Libraries projects (Hayden Heights and Riverview renovations and a new Hamline Midway Library), sustainable resourcing for safety specialists (positions now funded by American Rescue Plan funds), balancing ebook and print purchasing given rising digital costs, and maintenance and operational models for aging facilities (the average Saint Paul library location is 71 years old; statewide average is 52 years).
On facilities and capital work, Hartman described the Transforming Libraries partnership with the Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library and noted plans to open a new Hamline Midway Library next year, and to make targeted technology and play-and-learn investments at Merriam Park, Rice Street and the George Latimer Central Library. She also said Saint Anthony Park Library is temporarily closed for accessibility improvements.
On safety and staffing, Hartman said the library has brought five safety specialists on board and reported positive results at locations where they are deployed. She noted those positions are currently funded by American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds and asked the board to consider sustainable funding approaches for safety work beyond ARP.
Board members used the presentation to raise staff support and morale, data collection for program evaluation and continued funding for materials. Council President Baker reminded the board that a library board resolution passed two years earlier affirmed the board’s commitment to preventing a decline in purchasing power for circulation materials, and said the board had acted previously to increase the materials budget as requested by the director.
Hartman invited further questions and said she will provide more data and follow-up as the budget process unfolds. The presentation was placed on the record ahead of the city’s capital improvement bonding (CIB) and budget processes for consideration of the library’s requests.
Ending: The board thanked Hartman and staff for the update and signaled interest in follow-up briefings and more detailed budget materials during the upcoming city budget process.
