Library Trustees Approve $3.25M FY27 Budget Request
At their March 24 meeting, the Jones Library Board of Trustees approved Director Sharon Sharry’s Fiscal Year 2027 budget representing income and expenses of $3,253,135. This amount is 5.3% greater than the previous year’s operating budget and will require a draw rate of 4.6% from the library’s $9.4 million endowment.
The Town of Amherst’s contribution represents an increase of 3.85%, in accordance with the budget direction from Town Manager Paul Bockelman. Overall, the town will provide the library with 76.4% of its operating costs, and the state is expected to provide 5.3%. The remaining 18.3% of revenue will come from the Endowment, donations to the Friends of the Jones Library, grants, and fees.
The trustees have authorized the hiring of 1.5 hires to support the transition to the renovated and expanded facility currently under construction. These roles, a full-time teen librarian and a part-time custodian, fill vacancies that have existed for six years.
A particular pain point for the trustees is the programming budget that has been downscaled to $10,000, or a 78.6% decrease from the previous year. This reduction comes after the need for increased programming was advanced as a major justification for the $46.1 million renovation-expansion underway at 43 Amity St.
Asked about uncertainties, Sharry responded that the budget assumes that library operations will be in the renovated building for four months of the fiscal year, beginning March 1, 2027. She admitted to being nervous about the as-yet-unknown utilities costs in the new building. If the move-in date slips and the library remains at its temporary location at 101 University Drive for more than eight months of FY27, Sharry expects that it will save money in utility costs.
Water Problems at 101 University Drive
Trustee Farah Ameen reported that after a recent heavy rain, water leaked into the Children’s Room and Special Collections areas of the library’s temporary space at 101 University Drive. There was no damage to materials.
Director Sharry observed, “the building is 30-ish years old and things are starting to fall apart.”
Library Cuts a Check to Town for $1.3 Million
Development Committee Chair Lee Edwards gave a glowing report of the March 6 topping-off ceremony celebrating the placement of the highest beam in the building under construction. She described the signing of the beam as a fabulous and wonderful event, with attendees “literally dancing.”
Despite cold winter conditions, about 30 people attended the beam raising.
The ceremony included the presentation of a check for $1.3 million to Town Manager Paul Bockelman as the trustees pay down their $13.8 million share of building project expenses. Town Finance Director Sean Mangano reported on March 9 that the trustees have $9,043,331 remaining in their obligation to the town.
Edwards Advises Not to Worry
Mindful of budget challenges, high building project costs, potential delays and a large fundraising hole, Lee Edwards attempted to allay fears.
“In my last life, I was a dean of a college in a public university where we routinely received midyear [budget] recissions of 10%, You had to figure out how to run your college without taking money,” she said.
“All I can say is you cope,” she continued. “You look at where the savings are, you look at where somebody died or a little money got freed up, and you shift it around and you make it work … because you’re the one in charge.”