Auditors present library usage data, staff caution on physical‑space needs

The Special Committee on Duval DOGE reviewed library budgets, usage statistics and forthcoming capital projects May 20, receiving data meant to inform CIP and operating budgets.

Key figures: Kim Taylor, Council Auditor, said the library system’s budget is $40,800,000 and that electronic material costs (e‑books and audiobooks) amount to about $1,900,000. Auditors provided project budgets for upcoming replacements: Oceanway Library ($18,800,000 with $2.1 million spent to date), a Dallas Grand branch ($10.2 million in 2026–27), and a Brown Eastside branch ($8.1 million in 2026–27). A placeholder of $2 million appears in a later year for Bill Brenton, the auditors said.

Usage trends and implications: Auditor materials show distinct users borrowing in a five‑month sample totaled about 43,186 while virtual users were about 54,000, for combined borrowing activity of roughly 83,812 distinct interactions in the sample period. The auditors noted that regionals frequently exceeded the main library on several core service measures (borrowing, meeting room use), and that some branches show higher staff cost per distinct user (Brown Eastside and Maxville had higher per‑user salary costs in the sample).

Staff and council reaction: Councilman Mike Gay and Councilmember Michael Boylan urged further conversation with library leadership. Auditors and council members flagged questions about whether future CIP projects should be replacements, renovations, or right‑sized given increases in virtual use. "You wonder how much physical space that you need 10, 20 years from now as that number continues to rise," one council member said; auditors recommended inviting library leadership to a future meeting to discuss strategy.

Operational details: The auditors provided per‑gate and per‑transaction costs for the sample period (examples: main library gate cost ~$8.81 per gate; $9.21 per transaction, with per‑distinct‑active‑user figures higher) and staff counts (roughly 314 full‑time equivalents listed system‑wide in the packet; auditors said about 200 are assigned directly to branches and about 111 in administrative support).

Ending: Committee members asked staff to bring library leadership to a future meeting to clarify trends, long‑term plans and how virtual usage could reshape CIP planning.