2026 BUDGET BY THE NUMBERS
OVERVIEW
$6.82M 2026 Operating Budget
$5.12M
Request to Municipality
73%
Taxpayer’s Share of Budget
76%
Allocated to Salaries & Benefits
FAST FACTS
736,229
visitors walked through our doors in 2025
608,197 total checkouts (physical + digital)
Princeton Public Library is the most active public library building in New Jersey. 736,229 annual visits exceed the state's second-most visited single-branch library by 165%, averaging more than 2,000 people per day.
493,000+ 214,920 Princeton Public Library serves as Princeton’s free WiFi sessions
27,142 cardholders +8% from 2024
program attendees (virtual + in person)
only warming and cooling center open evenings and weekends. The library also provides the only public restrooms and telephone in downtown Princeton, making it a part of the essential civic infrastructure for all residents.
2026 BUDGET Frequently Asked Questions
MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS, ANSWERED. 1. What do my tax dollars pay for? Your tax dollars pay for salaries, state-mandated employee benefits and a portion of building maintenance and operating costs. Charitable giving pays for programs, collections, technology and innovation.
2. What has the library already done to address the deficit? In January 2026, Princeton Public Library’s board of trustees approved the following to reduce the deficit: One-hour daily reduction in library hours (effective Jan. 12) Reduction in Welcome Desk hours (effective Jan. 12) Elimination of Kanopy on-demand video streaming (effective Feb. 1) Restriction of Hoopla digital checkouts to three per patron per month Removal of the 10 most expensive staff health plan options from the benefits menu The library relied on operational data, usage patterns and internal planning to make decisions that would have the least overall impact on access and services.
3. So, why does the library need more money? The measures taken in January and February reduced the deficit, but didn’t eliminate it. The cost to safely staff and maintain the library building represents three quarters of the library’s budget. Here are examples of cost increases in 2026 that are entirely outside the library’s control: STATE HEALTH INSURANCE PREMIUMS (SHBP) The State Health Benefits Program, the state health insurance program that covers library employees, has had double-digit increases in recent years and 2026 is no exception. In 2026, the state raised premiums by 36.5%. That single increase is nearly equal to the library’s entire budget increase request. 2027 will have another double-digit increase, which means the library needs solutions that are sustainable. The library has explored other insurance options, but SHBP is the most affordable option at this time. ELECTRICITY AND UTILITIES Electricity costs are up and cleaning contracts, building maintenance and custodial services costs are tied to minimum wage rate increases.
2026 BUDGET Frequently Asked Questions
MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS, ANSWERED. 4. Why not use the endowment to cover the gap? The library’s endowment is a permanent pool of charitable funds raised from private donors and managed by the Friends and Foundation of the Princeton Public Library, a separate nonprofit organization. The endowment is invested so it can provide ongoing annual support for the library’s collections, programs, services and special initiatives, the enhancements that make Princeton Public Library exceptional for the community. Princeton Public Library does not control the endowment. The Friends and Foundation track donor intent and distribute funds based on the organization's authorized investment guidelines and distribution policy in accordance with the Uniform Prudent Management of Institutional Funds Act of 2006. Princeton Public Library’s approach has been to address budget pressures through operational adjustments and ongoing discussions with the municipality, ensuring that core funding remains stable and predictable over time.
5. What happens if the library continues to run a deficit? The deficit Princeton Public Library is facing cannot be sustained over an extended period. As a result, the library may need to consider further reductions to operations and services. These options are currently under review, and decisions will be made with careful consideration of community needs. The library’s priority remains the maintenance of safe operations and equitable access while minimizing the impact on the community. The library will continue to work with municipal partners to pursue solutions that support long-term stability and preserve the level of service the community relies on.
6. Isn’t the town already funding the library above the level required by state law? While the municipality funds the library above the state’s minimum requirement, that investment is guided by the community’s priorities and the goals outlined in the strategic plan: delivering highquality programming, equitable access and robust resources for all members of the community. Minimum funding thresholds are a baseline, not a measure of what is needed to meet local expectations and provide the level of service our community relies on.