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Billings library faces $729,911 shortfall in FY27; director urges long‑term funding plan
Summary
The Billings Public Library told the council its FY27 expenses are $5.6 million against $4.89 million in projected revenue, creating a $729,911 gap that the library said it will cover with reserves this year but warned is structurally unsustainable without additional funding or changes.
The Billings Public Library told the City Council Monday that it projects a $729,911 operating gap for fiscal year 2027 and will again draw on reserves to balance operations unless the city, county or other revenue sources change.
Library presenter Kelsey walked the council through services that stretch across Yellowstone County — two bookmobiles, four express pickup lockers, a downtown branch open 63 hours a week, and an expanding makerspace — and highlighted rising usage: more than 744,000 checkouts and nearly 300,000 visitors to the main branch in the past year. Despite that demand, the library’s FY27…
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