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Middlebury library asks for 5% COLA and funds to fill full-time children's librarian in FY2026-27 budget
Summary
Director Jo-Ann LoRusso told trustees the library's FY 2026-2027 request seeks a 5% cost-of-living adjustment for staff and funding to hire a full-time Children's Librarian (salary range $60,000$63,000), alongside a proposed 20% increase to the materials budget to offset vendor disruptions.
Director Jo-Ann LoRusso presented the Middlebury Public Library's FY 2026-2027 Department 64 budget request, which she submitted to the Selectmen's office and discussed with the Board of Finance and Board of Selectmen on Jan. 28. She said the request aims to "maintain essential library services, address staffing challenges, and respond to rising operational costs—particularly for library materials and subscriptions."
The budget includes a proposed 5% cost-of-living adjustment for staff and funding to fill the vacant full-time Children's Librarian position with a market-rate salary of $60,000$63,000. The materials line would increase by 20% to preserve purchasing levels across formats; LoRusso highlighted that print-book prices have risen an estimated 25%–35% and that eBook and eAudiobook license costs have also climbed. The presentation noted other adjustments: a 5% utilities increase and modest increases for periodicals and office supplies.
The request was presented to the town's finance bodies and will remain subject to decisions by the Board of Finance and Selectmen during the town budget process. LoRusso said the funding would expand early-literacy and school-age programming, strengthen outreach to Region 15 schools and reduce program waitlists if approved.
