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Library leaders warn collections cuts mean fewer books, longer wait times
Summary
DCPL officials and library advocates warned the committee that proposed FY27 operating cuts to collections would remove roughly 53,000 items and could reduce borrowing by an estimated 500,000 items, while advocates highlighted high ebook licensing costs.
Richard Reyes Gavilan, executive director of DC Public Library, told the Committee on Human Services that the FY27 proposed budget includes a $1,000,000 reduction to DCPL’s collections that translates into “approximately 53,000 fewer books and other library materials” and an estimated “500,000 fewer items borrowed in FY27.”
Friends groups and library presidents stressed the operational and equity impacts of the collections reduction. Mark Pattison, president of the Friends of the Juanita E. Thornton Shepherd Park Library, explained the tradeoffs facing DCPL over ebooks and print: “Physical books may cost the library between 20 and $25 while its ebook counterpart would cost between 60 and $80,” and he noted that many ebook licenses are metered and more expensive per-use.
DCPL said maintaining open hours and FTEs was prioritized, but that cuts to non‑personnel services (approximately $2,600,000) would degrade the library experience through fewer programs, older equipment, and slower repairs. The committee said it would continue efforts to restore collections funding during the budget process.
