Library funding update

The Orange County  budget approval  for FY 2026-2027 included a plan to phase out total funding of $621,323 for Chapel Hill Public Library. The county's pre-plan contribution represented a significant 14.5% of the library's total budget and 72% of the non-personnel operating budget.  The phaseout is scheduled to occur over three years with a  funding reduction of $209,071 this year.

We continue to believe that county funding for library services should include the Chapel Hill Public Library since 40% of Orange County taxpayers reside in Chapel Hill and another 15,000 county residents are active users. It's common practice for counties to support municipal libraries in NC and elsewhere since the municipality alleviates the county funding burden and the county wants to provide access for non-municipal residents.

The library is in the process of determining how best to manage the funding shortfall. We will keep this page updated as new information becomes available and provide information on how to support our continued advocacy efforts with Orange County.