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East Greenwich Free Library seeks modest FY2026 increase, prioritizes HVAC, programming and accessibility
Summary
Library Director Adrienne Gerard presented the East Greenwich Free Library budget request and program updates; trustees and councilors praised strong program growth despite a small reduction in state aid.
Adrienne Gerard, director of the East Greenwich Free Library, presented the library’s FY2026 request during the Town Council’s May 19 public hearing on the municipal budget.
Gerard said the library’s operating model continues to combine municipal support for salaries, utilities and building maintenance with grants and donations that fund programs, collections and museum passes. She described an expansion in program offerings — yoga classes, STEM programming, craft kits, notary services, outdoor story times and digital services — and told the council that average monthly programs increased about 31 percent between fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2025 while program attendance rose about 230 percent over the same span.
Gerard said the library is prioritizing HVAC upgrades to improve indoor air quality and accessibility improvements for patrons with disabilities; the library is pursuing state and private grants to support capital work. She also referenced recent improvements in bookkeeping and accounts-payable processing following integration with the town’s Munis system.
The manager’s budget slides reflect a proposed $10,000, or roughly 1.7 percent, increase for the library fund in FY2026. Gerard noted a small reduction in state aid this year from about $153,000 to $148,000 (a decrease of roughly $5,000) and said that, while grants and donations “are the things that make a library a library,” town and state support pay core operating costs.
Why it matters: the library’s expanded programming and growing attendance make its funding and capital needs — notably HVAC — a community priority for services used by families, students and residents of all ages.
Councilors commended library staff and trustees for program growth and fundraising. Councilor Michael Zarrella and others urged patience with the town’s budget process while noting the library’s role in the community; several councilors said they would support restoring small amounts of aid if town revenues allowed.
Gerard summarized the library’s goals as safety, accessibility and community connection and said the trustees and staff will continue to pursue grants and private fundraising to support nonoperating costs such as flooring and HVAC.
