Library board president urges at least nominal increase to library line amid federal funding uncertainty

Dusty Krico, president of the Fond du Lac Public Library Board, urged the City Council during the Oct. 22 public hearing on the 2026 budget to include at least a nominal increase to the library's city funding line to avoid setting a precedent of 0% increases amid uncertain federal support.

"Federal funding for libraries is threatened currently," Krico said, noting administrative actions affecting the Institute for Museum and Library Services and describing the federal contribution to state library budgets in Wisconsin (cited in the presentation as about $3,200,000 last year). He said the Fond du Lac Public Library had a reserve of about $367,000 at the end of 2024 but that the proposed budget would sharply reduce that reserve as staffing and cost-of-living increases take effect. "I would urge you to please consider increasing the budget for the library at least to match cost-of-living increases, even just a nominal increase," Krico said.

City Manager Moore responded that he plans to confer with the (incoming) library director and the library board and revisit the request in the first quarter of next year after the director transition. "I think we're in good shape right now," Moore said, but he confirmed he would follow up with the new director and the board.

The public hearing on the 2026 city budget closed with no further speakers; council did not act on the budget at that meeting and will consider final budget/CIP adoption at a subsequent meeting.