Photo by Deb Gau Area students participate in a youth program at Marshall-Lyon County Library Tuesday. The library has asked for 4.5% increase for the 2026 budget.

The Marshall-Lyon County Library has asked for a 4.5% or nearly $56,000 financial increase for next year’s budget.

“We receive funding from both the city and the county, both of whom are still going through their budget processes,” said Michele Leininger, Marshall-Lyon County Library director. “We have asked for a small increase from our current funding level and will hopefully receive the additional funds, or come close to that. But we won’t know for certain until closer to the end of the year. However, I have no indication that we will receive less than what we have this year, so I don’t anticipate any cuts from current funding levels.”

The reason behind the additional funding, according to Leininger, is for the Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA), step raises for staff, any rises in the costs of health and dental insurance as well as Minnesota paid leave begins in 2026. This year’s library budget total is $1,236,793, combination of money provided by city and county and also includes the miscellaneous like fines, fees, interest, and donations. According to Leininger, the city covers two-thirds of the budget and the and the county one-third. For 2025, the city’s amount is $789,088 and the county is paying $394,544 for a total of $1,183,632.

Not all public libraries though are so lucky, Leininger says. Many public libraries across the U.S. are experiencing financial struggles. In Pennsylvania, for instance, the state budget is overdue and some libraries have had to pull money out of their reserves until payment arrives.

While not directly impacted, the funding of the Institute of Museum Libraries (IMLS) which has given out grants to libraries for decades is jeopardy of being dismantled. If that happens, it could spell trouble for Minnesota public libraries and indirectly impact the The Marshall-Lyon County Library. But the elimination of IMLS and the potential fallout have yet to occur and is tied up in legislative and legal challenges.