Boulder library trustees affirm target to cut staffing costs by up to 20%
The target is based on 2026 costs and would shift funding toward building maintenance and capital needs. The 2027 budget and specific staffing changes are still under development.
Boulder Public Library District trustees unanimously affirmed a 2027 budget direction to reduce staffing costs by up to 20% of 2026 costs and shift funding toward building maintenance and capital needs. The direction is not a final budget or a list of job cuts. Trustees took the vote at their Sept. 29 meeting.
District leaders described an overall reallocation of about $2.8 million, including roughly $1.8 million for facilities, operations and capital investment. The director attributed the shift to falling revenue, rising costs and overdue building repairs. The amounts are estimates as the district develops its 2027 budget.
The director estimated that wage increases, with benefits unchanged, would bring the net staffing-cost reduction in 2027 to about 16% to 17%. He also estimated reductions of 27% to 30% in management positions and 8% to 10% in non-management positions. Leadership said those ranges could change after it reviews voluntary-retirement and reduced-hours requests; they are not a confirmed list of affected employees.
The director said some programs would end and others would be restructured, but he did not expect a substantial overall decline in programming service levels. He said patrons value current library hours and want more, though extending hours might not be feasible in 2027. The district plans to evaluate hours in its 2027 work plan; trustees did not approve a change to library hours or public access.
The director said the 2027 budget is expected to return to trustees in October.