Dear Friends,
Yesterday, the Houston Public Library went before the Houston City Council and presented its budget for FY2026.
In light of the City’s ongoing financial challenges, the library’s leadership is proposing a budget that is in line with Mayor Whitmire’s vision for fiscal prudence.
Although the new library budget proposal is a 7.2% reduction (roughly $4 million) from the previous year, the leadership team has done tremendous work in ensuring that:
1) None of the 44 of Library’s public service units will be closed.
2) There will be no additional workforce reductions affecting Library staff beyond those who voluntarily chose early retirement.
3) Library’s will continue to provide rich and engaging programming at every branch.
Through ingenuity and creativity, Director Sandy Gaw, COO John Middleton, and the entire executive team are committed to providing this vital resource as the library serves the people of Houston. We thank them for their leadership!
At the same time, this means that all Houstonians who value the Houston Public Library–a public entity that promotes literacy, assists entrepreneurs and job seekers, fosters cultural exchange and community events, offers otherwise unique and dynamic programming for all Houstonians, and preserves our local culture and history–will have the opportunity to step up to support our libraries in the coming weeks.
Now more than ever, the Houston Public Library Foundation is committed to supporting our libraries as they connect Houstonians to lifelong learning, education, and new opportunities. You are invited to join in this mission.
We thank you for your continued support of the Houston Public Library!
With best regards,
Nick Sawicki
Executive Director