The FY27 Metro budget process officially concluded with Council approval on June 25.

Thanks to the voices of library supporters across our community, we made meaningful progress on both staffing and investment in books and materials. There is more work to do as we look to the mid-year budget adjustments with Council. We will continue advocating for a permanent $2 million investment in books and materials to sustain a robust collection, maintain reasonable wait times, and ensure everyone in our community has timely access to the books and resources they need.

BOOKS AND MATERIALS

The goal: A permanent $2 million increase to reduce wait times and improve access to library collections.

• Council approved the Mayor’s recommendation to sustain $500,000 of last year’s $1 million increase in public funding but did not add additional funding, leaving the LFPL books and materials budget approximately $1.5 million short of the goal.
• Council indicated that they would revisit the books and materials budget in a few months as part of the regular mid-year budget adjustment process in two ways:
  1. Council requested Library Director Lowe complete a books and materials needs analysis by November 15, 2026.
  2. Council wrote into the FY27 budget the library would be the first priority to have a books and materials funding need met, pending results of the analysis and availability of funds.
• This means there is a good chance that the library will be able to receive more funds for books and materials during the mid-year budget adjustment process – and that continued support for this priority will keep it top of mind for Council.

This matters – without your voice, Council would not have prioritized LFPL for this potential funding. The progress we’ve made has strengthened the case for a permanent investment in books and materials. We’ll continue building on that momentum this fall when mid-year budget adjustments come.  Be on the lookout for next steps.

STAFFING

With both the Fern Creek and Main libraries reopening early next year, an increase in staffing is essential. The Mayor’s proposed staffing levels were passed by Council without changes, resulting in:

• A net gain of 16 full-time equivalent positions.
• Hiring for 27 total positions occurring this fall!

We are so excited to welcome new staff, grateful to see net growth, especially in a year when the city reduced staffing overall . The addition of new staff is a significant step forward and reflects the value our community places on strong public libraries. Continued investment in staffing isn’t just about expanding services. It’s about ensuring the Library can sustain the level of service our community already depends on while creating capacity for the future.

LFPL Needs Your Voice!

The budget conversation isn’t over.

• Over the next few months, it’s important that Council continues to hear from constituents about the importance of investing in books and materials.
• Share your library story!
  • How have wait times affected you or your family?
  • Why is access to books and materials important to you, your family, and your community?

Other Significant Budget Highlights

• Funding for several low-use databases, including EBSCO products, Gale Legal Forms, Biography in Context, and Literature Resource Center, was eliminated.
• Capital funding for a new Highlands-Shelby Park Library was adjusted from the Mayor’s proposed $5 million to $2.5 million, with the remaining funding anticipated FY28 when the project is underway.
• Metro Employees (including library staff) will continue to receive health insurance without paying a premium, and non-union employees received a 2% cost of living adjustment.
• Council approved a new five-year Collective Bargaining Agreement for the majority of union-represented library employees, including salary increases across positions (this happens independently of the budget process but happened to coincide with the timing of the budget season).