Monday, May 11, 2026

FY 2027 Budget Narrative: Franklin Public Library

From the Town Administrator's FY 2027 Budget narrative, each department's story is worth sharing.


General Purpose

The Franklin Public Library is an essential municipal service that supports the Town’s goals related to education, civic engagement, economic opportunity, cultural vitality, and quality of life. The Library provides free and equitable access to information, technology, educational resources, and community space for residents of all ages.

Core Functions

Consistent with its mission to foster knowledge and engagement through education, enrichment, technology and lifelong learning, the library’s main functions include the following:
● Facilities
○ The library’s magnificent building, art, and architecture are inspiring spaces that invite residents of all ages to exist, learn, connect, and thrive, and enjoy a warm welcoming safe haven.
■ Study spaces
■ Meeting spaces
■ Conference spaces
■ Art display spaces
■ Big program rooms for large-scale events
● Programming
○ Our programming is the catalyst for inspiration and beacon of creativity, serving residents of all ages, equipping users with tools to learn and pursue novel ventures, and driving traffic to our doors from several towns away, making us a destination.
■ Programs tailored to specific age groups and developmental stages, specifically targeted to meet the needs and schedules of children and their grown-ups
■ Community programs
■ Educational workshops
■ Outreach activities
● Collections
○ At the heart of the library's services to the community and key to education. The library’s wide-ranging print and digital resources empower residents to learn, reflect and build new perspectives, propelling them from uncertainty to capability, unemployment to new pursuits, and isolation to connection.
■ Acquisition/ Development
■ Maintenance
■ Creative/ non-traditional materials
● Technology
○ We bridge the digital divide, and are a pathway for transformational skills that provides:
■ Computers, internet and Wi-Fi
■ Software, online databases, digital resources and Mobile App
■ Printing, scanning and fax services
■ Innovative tools, and tech-related non-traditional materials in the library of things
● Reference and information services
○ We connect patrons to resources, technology research and local history
● History
○ We are the first public lending library in the nation. Our magnificent building houses the original town documents, the collections of both Benjamin Franklin the founding father of public education, Horace Mann.
 
Staffing

● One (1) Library Director
● One (1) Deputy Library Director
● One (1) Head of Reference and Public Services
● One (1) Youth Services Librarian
● One (1) Assistant Youth Services Librarian
● One (1) Programming and Outreach Librarian
● One (1) Circulation Supervisor
● Five (5) Library Assistants

Strategic Initiatives & Accomplishments

● Rocked by inadequate funding that resulted in the Library decertification in 2012, the Library has developed and implemented significant restructuring and organizational strategies to continue to provide stable, reliable and durable services to Franklin residents.
● Since the 2012 decertification and resulting reduction in staff from 24 to 12, our restructuring and organization development, the transition from part-time to
full-time staff has allowed for cross-training, cross-functional responsibilities and the development of enabling internal processes that allow every single library staff member to adapt and become jack of all trades, managing every facet of library operation, from front-line patron services, collection management, cataloging, reference services, technology assistance, and programming output.
● While our staffing levels have not increased since 2012, during this time the building footprint has increased by 8,000 square feet, we have expanded our collections, and tripled our programming output.
● As a result of our organizational initiatives, the Franklin Public Library has become one of the outstanding exemplars in the State Library System with the following major milestones and accomplishments:
○ The largest circulation per FTE in its population group (31,297 vs.15,000 for Natick)
○ The largest program attendance in its population group (49,000 vs 15,000 for Natick)
○ The most efficient and cost-effective Library in its population group ($33/resident/year vs $70/resident/year for Natick)
○ All of the above milestones are achieved with the lowest staffing and funding levels in our population group. (Natick, Needham, Chelmsford, Norwood, Milford)
 
● In spite of budget challenges and because of its organizational initiatives, the library has managed to grow and expand program attendance and offerings. By turning our energy and efforts towards creative staff-led programming while also leveraging community partnerships, the library remains a thriving space for patrons of all ages.
● We have also adjusted our registration-based programming to reach wider audiences and have expanded our school-age afternoon impact by 50%, with multiple art-based program options, expanded read to a dog program capacity, and innovative half-day events to support caregivers during planned school closures.
● Services
○ The library introduced home delivery to ensure that Franklin residents who are unable to visit the library due to aging-related limitations, illness, disability, or temporary mobility limitations can continue to benefit from services.
○ To advance community health and well-being, the library joined forces with the Franklin Health Department and the American Heart Association to provide access to a blood pressure monitoring station at the library and blood pressure kits for home use. These kits have been very well received.
○ An art exhibit showcasing the library’s storied history, splendour and magnificent murals and art attracted visitors from across the state and resulted in a feature article in the Boston Sunday Globe.
○ Three Franklin Public Library staff were invited speakers at the Massachusetts Library Conference to present and discuss our practices, programs and services.
○ Introduced a new Large Print Juvenile fiction collection in consultation with a local family.
○ Over two hundred residents received free tax preparation help through the library’s VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program.
● School relationships
○ Our school partnerships impact over 1,000 students each month, from preschool up through 8th grade
○ Expanded read-aloud initiatives, reaching 600 students from grades K-2 each month
○ Monthly read-aloud visits to 15 ECDC classrooms
○ Over 80 middle school students served through the BLAST Mobile Library Program each week
○ Continuation of the fourth annual graphic novelist panel in partnership with Franklin Middle School
○ A redesign of the teen/adult Summer Reading Program to streamline student and adult participation saw an increase of 65% in adult signups and 8% in children signups during Summer 2025.
○ The expansion of passive program offerings in Youth Services Spaces has improved patron engagement and increased foot traffic
● Programs
○ Added new afternoon literacy initiatives and art/painting classes for school-age patrons
○ Partnered with Franklin Fire Department to offer quarterly Local Hero Storytimes
○ Collaborated with Town Departments and SAFE Coalition for family health and safety programs during the holidays
○ Collaborated with the Department of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Franklin Cultural District and Downtown Partnership on multiple initiatives (A-Wreath-of-Franklin, Fairy Trails Program, Strawberry Stroll and Harvest Festival)
○ New collaborative programs with local parent groups introduced dads to the art of Parent/Child Hairstyling and a Petite Prom program
○ The SAFE Coalition rolled out monthly narcan trainings for the community
● The Library’s FY27 priorities
○ Welcoming and safe spaces
○ Equitable access to services
○ Responsible stewardship, operational efficiency and sustainability
○ Internal and external collaborations
○ Staff, facilities and technology

FY27 Requested Budget Highlights

● The FY 2027 Library budget is a bare bone service level budget that barely meets the Municipal Appropriation Requirement, (MAR) the amount the town must fund the library by statute. If the Library loses its MAR certification, the Town jeopardizes losing almost $90,000 in State funding.

● This budget is less than 1% of the total town budget. Any cuts to this budget will put the library at risk of decertification. Currently Franklin residents have access to over 59 million items from other libraries across the State. Last year, Franklin residents borrowed over 58,000 items from other libraries, saving the town over $870,000. If the Library is decertified, residents will lose their borrowing privileges.
 
FY27 Requested Budget Summary

The FY2027 budget for the Franklin Public Library is designed to maintain core services, address operational needs, and support thoughtful planning for the future. It reflects the Library’s ongoing commitment to fiscal responsibility, public access, and alignment with the Town’s long-term goals. The Library appreciates the continued support of the Town Administrator, Town Council, and Finance Committee in sustaining this essential public service.


Posted by at
Labels: , , ,