City baselines $31.7M for libraries; library leaders urge more operating funding to fill service gaps

New York City Council finance and cultural affairs committees heard testimony on May 12 from the three public library systems about the fiscal 2027 executive budget and lingering operating shortfalls.

Council Member Linda Lee, chair of the Finance Committee, noted the executive plan proposes $526.6 million for the three library systems, a $35.2 million increase from the preliminary plan that includes $31.7 million baselined for library operating support beginning in FY27. "We were pleased to see that $31,700,000 was included in the plan," Lee said in her opening remarks.

Tony Marks, president of the New York Public Library, said baselining removes the "budget dance" that repeatedly left systems preparing for cuts. "It is so refreshing to spend May and June doing the work of the libraries instead of the advocacy to keep us whole," Marks said. Still, Marks asked the council for $15.2 million in additional expense funding for NYPL to cover collections ($5.1M), emergency non‑capital repairs ($1.3M) and operating costs including new unfunded mandates and core technology.

Karen Sheehan, chief financial officer of Brooklyn Public Library, told the committee that BPL’s restoration in the executive budget reduces its operating gap from $17.5 million to $8.7 million, but that shortfall would continue to "erode service" if not addressed. Sheehan cited 177 lost hours of public service across Brooklyn last year because of unplanned closures and said BPL still needs $8.7 million to close its operating gap.

Dennis Walcott, president and CEO of Queens Public Library, described a similar picture in Queens and provided a system estimate of roughly $9.62 million in unmet operating needs, including $2.7 million for IT and deferred maintenance, $2.1 million for unfunded wage growth, $1.2 million for library materials and $1.2 million for the PICA prescription drug benefit expense reclassified to the libraries’ obligation.

The libraries said the PICA prescription drug benefit—an enhanced benefit for union employees—was shifted to system budgets effective Jan. 1 and has not been funded by the city. "We received notification in December that starting January 1 we would have to pay, I believe it's about $120 per union employee per month," BPL’s representative said; witnesses gave system estimates of roughly $1.7 million for NYPL, $1.2 million for BPL and $1.2 million for QPL related to that change.

Council members pressed staff on service outcomes and equity. Chair Lee asked how additional expense funding would expand seven‑day service, evening hours and programs; witnesses said baselining allows active recruitment and planned hiring but does not replace the additional dollars they requested for expanded services.

Systems described recruitment and retention strategies—tuition support for library school, page programs and a pathways‑to‑leadership initiative—but said market pressures and cost‑of‑living constraints limit hires. NYPL reported roughly 113 vacancies systemwide, BPL about 87 and QPL about 80.

The hearing closed with members and library officials agreeing to follow up on specific breakdowns for ESOL/English‑learning programs, vacancy classifications and the progress of funding conversations with the Mayor’s Office of Management and Budget. Deputy Speaker Dr. Natosha Williams reminded the public that joint executive budget public testimony for city agencies will be taken on June 10 at 9:30 a.m.

The committees did not take any formal votes during the hearing; adoption and further adjustments will occur during the budget negotiation process.