Library director says FY27 cut targets book budget, not staff
Abington library director says $13,964 FY27 cut falls on books, not staff. Library Director Deborah Grimmett told Town Meeting the library's entire budget is just 0.93 percent of the town's total, per the state Division of Local Services, and pegged the library budget at roughly $672,000.
Town Meeting 2026-05-12 Part 3 · Meeting of May 12, 2026
Abington library director says $13,964 FY27 cut falls on books, not staff. Library Director Deborah Grimmett told Town Meeting the library's entire budget is just 0.93 percent of the town's total, per the state Division of Local Services, and pegged the library budget at roughly $672,000. The Board of Library Trustees chose to protect staffing and cut the materials line instead, leaning more on the roughly $50,000 in annual state aid to meet a state rule requiring 15 percent of town appropriation go to books.
Grimmett said the level-funded budget keeps the library just above the threshold needed to retain state certification. She noted 27 patrons are currently waiting for one new e-book bestseller, and warned that "why do you want to pay for library services if you are getting absolutely nothing in return?" if a neighboring town loses its own certification.
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Source: the Town Meeting 2026-05-12 Part 3 meeting of May 12, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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