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Library director urges larger funding increase than city proposed 3% amid service growth
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Summary
Victor Chabai, director of the New Britain Public Library, told the council that use and program attendance have grown but the library's operating budget remains small; he asked the city to consider a larger increase (the library requested 13%).
Victor Chabai, director of the New Britain Public Library, told the Common Council on April 28 that while visitor numbers, electronic usage and program attendance have risen sharply over the past two years, library staff wages and services remain constrained by flat funding.
Chabai said the library has seen a 29% increase in visitors, a 74% increase in electronic material use and a 57% rise in program attendance. He said the library's operating budget is roughly 1.2% of the city's overall budget and asked the council to consider funding closer to the 13% increase the library requested rather than the 3% proposed in the mayor's budget.
"A strong public library depends on its staff to provide materials and services for all ages," Chabai said, noting that years of flat funding have left staff among the lowest paid in the region despite many holding master's degrees. He described the library as a community investment and urged the council to weigh the relatively small budgetary cost against the service impact.
Council members acknowledged the library appeal as they consider overall city spending amid competing demands for education, public safety and capital projects. No vote was taken at the hearing; the council will review department budgets in upcoming sessions.
