Trustees weigh cutting Hoopla and a $10,000 private-account supplement to shore up book budget

Staff presented the library’s book-and-periodical budget during the June 24 meeting and recommended changes to avoid service gaps if the board cannot secure the larger amount originally requested for FY27. The draft assumed $60,000 for ebooks and factored in keeping Hoopla; staff said removing Hoopla could cut about $15,000 from that line and that a $10,000 transfer from the trustees’ private account would help maintain physical materials and support hiring a children’s librarian.

"This 60,000 number for ebooks is factoring in us keeping Hoopla," a Committee member summarized. Staff said cutting Hoopla plus two databases and some magazine subscriptions would reduce the overall books and electronic-collection lines and make the FY27 numbers more realistic given recent cuts. The committee discussed a range of options including placing an asterisk on draft figures to show the numbers could change if Hoopla is removed.

Members reviewed historical spending and noted FY26 was atypical with lower ordering by staff and insurance revenue adjustments pending that could affect the book line. Staff recommended planning for $75,000 in physical materials for FY28 and described several digital and periodical sublines that could be targeted for reductions.

The committee discussed trade-offs between visible service reductions and fiscal conservatism. Staff also said trustees historically supplemented the book account from trustee funds and recommended asking for $10,000 for FY27 as a one-time supplement to reduce programmatic impacts.

Next steps: staff will include alternative numbers (with and without Hoopla) in the draft budget for July 9 and will note assumptions (trustee supplement, insurance revenue) so trustees and the public can see what would change if those elements are different.