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Library Budget

Library Budget

Voters Approve Library Budget and Elect Three Trustees

Albany voters approved the Albany Public Library 2026-27 budget on May 19 with a final tally of 2,412 to 646. The $9,661,856 million budget was approved by 79% of the voters.

The estimated homestead rate for 2026-27 is $1.32 per $1,000 of assessed value. The owner of a home assessed at $250,000, for example, will pay about an extra $40 in library taxes.

“The approved budget erases our deficit and stabilizes our fund balance for rainy-day capital needs. This vote protects current branches, hours, and services, as well as library jobs,” said APL Executive Director Andrea Nicolay.

“The Board of Trustees and I are fully committed to responsible long-term financial planning that maximizes this community’s investment in libraries. Albany recognizes and values that the library is for everyone, no matter your age, stage, identity, or income, and that a strong library makes our city stronger,” Nicolay said.

Also today, voters selected three members for the library’s Board of Trustees.
• Kathryn Bamberger with 1,263 votes was elected to a full five-year term
• Kayli McTague with 1,251 votes was elected to a full five-year term
• Matthew Reed with 908 votes was elected to a partial one-year term
They will replace expired terms held by Jah-Raii Gause, Sarah Macinski, and Brigitte Pryor on the nine-member board.

The vote totals for the nine trustee candidates were:
1. Kathryn Bamberger with 1,263 votes
2. Kayli McTague with 1,251 votes
3. Matthew Reed with 908 votes
4. Sarah Macinski with 865 votes
5. Leslie Dykeman with 751 votes
6. Smriti Sinha with 750 votes
7. Lori Kochanski with 701 votes
8. Jenna Kersten with 515 votes
9. Kenneth Louzier with 443 votes

 

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? 

View the voter info guide (updated 5/5/26)

Watch a recording of the Candidates Forum on YouTube

Watch a budget presentation video on YouTube

Library tax impact chart for Albany homeowners

Fiscal year 2026-2027 operating budget

Audit report for 2025

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

Read our March blog about the budget vote and trustee election

 

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.