The committee approved the Appleton Public Library's 2026 budget after a presentation by Director Orpett detailing high usage since the facility reopened in February and recognition as the Wisconsin Library of the Year.

"This past Thursday night, I was honored to accept the Wisconsin Library of the Year award on behalf of the Appleton Public Library," Director Orpett told the committee, and she recognized library staff, city departments and community partners for their roles in completing the building project.

Orpett provided usage figures for the period from the Feb. 15 reopening through September: about 253,000 visitors; more than 25,000 program attendees; roughly 5,000 new cardholders (bringing the total to about 65,000); an estimated more than 500,000 physical checkouts projected for the year; a roughly 18% increase in children's circulation over the previous year; and approximately 72% of checkouts handled at new self-check stations.

She said total expenditures for 2026 are approximately $5,228,000, with personnel the largest portion. Revenues are projected at about $1,300,000, mainly county reimbursements from Outagamie, Calumet, Winnebago and Brown counties, plus a modest $15,000 in facility rental income. Staff noted plans to add a solar array, replace some servers and continue updating long-range plans.

Ald. Lambrecht asked about the roughly $4,000 listed for collections and the contract with a collection agency. Orpett said a statute change permitted libraries to engage collection agencies; the library uses a firm (identified in materials as Unique Management Collection Services) to perform "gentle nudge" outreach, skip-trace moved patrons and, in rare cases, tax intercepts when materials are not returned and reacquisition costs are significant.

Several council members raised a cosmetic concern about cracks observed in the stairs leading to upper levels. Council members and staff said some settling and superficial cracking can be normal early in new construction and that warranty work or contractor repair had already been performed earlier in the year on some areas.

After discussion the committee voted to approve the library budget, 4-0.