Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Libraries topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Library reports rising use and seeks higher municipal support for 2027
Summary
The Downingtown Library reported increased visitation, circulation and program attendance in 2025 and explained a higher 2027 funding request driven by per‑capita calculations across supporting municipalities.
The Downingtown Library reported strong year‑over‑year growth in 2025 and told the East Brandywine Board of Supervisors the increase is straining space and staff.
A library representative told the board that the library’s service population for 2025 was 50,000, up about 6,000 from 2024, and cited a roughly 6% rise in door counts and circulation. Program offerings increased by 144 events from 2024, and program attendance rose about 32% to roughly 19,000 people, the representative said.
Those gains have coincided with busy special events: the summer kickoff drew about 400 visitors and roughly 375 people registered that day for summer reading. The presenter also said 38 teens have signed on as volunteers to support summer programming and that partnerships with regional organizations (including a National Park Service guest for a middle‑school program) are expanding offerings.
Why it matters: the library asked supervisors to note that its 2027 budget request is higher than 2026 because Chester County Library System budgeting aims to reach a per‑capita contribution target; staff said the county system’s goal is $5 per capita and the library calculates each municipality’s suggested contribution from census estimates and current contribution levels.
The presenter said some line items in the library’s revenue are private donations and fundraising events (sale proceeds, fall and spring events), and that staff do not collect residency data for drop‑in programs, so the precise share of East Brandywine residents attending is not specified.
Board reaction focused on clarification: a supervisor asked whether the 2027 request is larger than 2026 (the presenter confirmed it is) and about how contributions are distributed among member municipalities. The presenter explained the per‑capita approach and that some nearby municipalities support the library in differing proportions (some are formally assigned, others contribute informally). A supervisor thanked the presenter and acknowledged the library’s heavy summer schedule.
The board did not take formal action on the library budget during the meeting; the update was presented for information and the presenters answered questions from supervisors.
Next steps: the library will continue coordination with member municipalities; specific funding decisions will be considered through the township’s normal budgeting process.
