Each . . . library annually prepares and publishes a board-approved, written budget, which enables the library to address the community’s needs, as outlined in the library’s long-range plan of service.
Preparation of the budget should be a joint project of the board of trustees and the library director. It is recommended that the budget draft be reviewed by the library treasurer and/or a board finance committee prior to presenting to the full Board.
Helpful Tip: “The best budgets are developed in relationship to the library’s long-range and strategic planning process and include projections for future years.” (Handbook for Library Trustees of New York State, 2018 Edition, pg. 50.)
Helpful Tip: In order to be transparent to community members, the library’s budget should be made readily available for review by any members of the public, both in person at the library and online at all times.
Although formats and fiscal year may differ, all library budgets should:
The library’s long-range plan should be the foundation for the development of any library budget. Library budgets should contain sufficient expenditure allocations to meet the information and service needs of the community while complying with the NYS Comptroller's guidelines and meeting the minimum standards.
Yes. The current, board-approved budget is required to be publicly available online (See Standard 11: Provides access to current library information) and the library should also have printed copies available for public distribution. Online and printed budgets provide the community with transparency and accountability about library operations.
Contact the library system for assistance.
See the chapter on Budgets and Finance in the Handbook for Library Trustees of New York State.
The Office of the New York State Comptrollers has a useful series of Local Government Management Guides that include technical information and suggested practices for various financial and budgeting topics.