Library Budget

Library Budget

APL Budget Vote and Trustee Election: Tuesday, May 19, 2026

BUDGET VOTE

What appears on the May 19 ballot?

  • Library items appear on the same ballot as school items. Voters will see the proposed operating budget for the library’s fiscal year 2026-2027, which is $9,661,856.
  • Voters will also see names of trustee candidates, and must select three names for the three open seats. 

How will the budget vote affect taxpayers? 

  • The owner of a home assessed at $250,000 will see an increase of $42.58 in library taxes. See a complete tax impact chart.
  • The proposed operating budget tax levy reflects an increase of 17% over the current year. View the line-item budget.

Why does the library need an operating budget tax increase for FY2026-2027? 

  • The proposed increase addresses the impact of expenses that have gone up more dramatically in recent years, including health benefits and utilities. 
  • The proposed increase helps stabilize reserve funds to maintain branch facilities and be eligible for construction grants.

What will I see in my tax bill? 

  • The total tax levy for the library includes annual debt service for the Branch Improvement Plan, which was approved by voters in February 2007.  
  • Factoring in the Branch Improvement Plan debt service, the combined percent increase in total library taxes in FY2026-2027 is 14.5%.

What is the operating budget approval process? 

  • The Board of Trustees approved the resolution for the operating budget tax levy on March 10 at their regular meeting, along with a resolution to override the New York State tax cap. 
  • You can view the board’s February 23 Special Budget Meeting on YouTube. At the annual Special Budget Meeting, the board received detailed information about the budget proposal that was recommended by the Audit & Finance Committee.  

How can I learn more? 

  • Watch recent Board meetings, or read recent budget-related material, available on the Board of Trustees page. 
  • Reach out to Executive Director Andrea Nicolay with your questions: nicolaya@albanypubliclibrary.org or 518-427-4300 x0379 
  • See if your Neighborhood Association has scheduled an APL community report and budget information presentation. APL is on the agendas of 15 Neighborhood Associations across the city (and counting!).
  • Attend an upcoming Budget Table Talk with Executive Director Nicolay. Table Talks will be held on public floors of all APL branches during April. Details will appear on the library’s online calendar and social media channels. 

Library tax impact chart for Albany homeowners

Fiscal year 2026-2027 operating budget

Find your polling place and get information about early voting and absentee ballots

TRUSTEE ELECTION

Three board seats are up for election in 2026. 

  • Two positions carry full 5-year terms and one has a partial 1-year term.
  • The top vote-getters take the two 5-year terms, and the third highest vote-getter takes the 1-year term. 
Potential candidates can learn more about what it’s like to run for office and serve as a library trustee:

Albany residents who would like to run for a seat need to complete and submit nominating petitions. 

  • Download the nominating packet. 
  • Candidates must collect signatures from at least 65 qualified voters. 
  • Candidates must deliver completed petitions to the City School District of Albany (1 Academy Park) by 5 pm on Wednesday, April 29. Google maps link for 1 Academy Park

The library will announce the trustee candidate names on April 30 after the petitions have been validated by the school district. 

The public is invited to hear from the candidates at a forum on Tuesday, May 5, at 6 pm at the Washington Ave. Branch in the large auditorium. The forum will be livestreamed, and recorded for later viewing, on YouTube. 

 

ANNUAL BUDGET PROCESS

APL’s operating budget is 90% funded by local taxpayers, but we also receive some funds from the state and federal government, as well as grants. The library’s leadership regularly reviews the annual budget and long-range financial plan to ensure we are making fiscally responsible decisions that result in sustainability.

Some budget facts:

  • The yearly budget is developed in an open process, reviewed in public meetings, and approved by the Board of Trustees. Then, it is presented to the voters.
  • As a local government organization, the APL budgets are subject to the tax cap regulations established by the NYS comptroller.
  • The library’s major operating costs are: salaries and benefits for library staff; maintenance and operation of seven library buildings; cost of computers and software for public and staff; purchase of digital content, books, periodicals, databases, and other borrowable materials; and programming for the community.