Funding the Public Library 

The bulk of funding for the Library comes in the form of annual operating funds from the City and the County. About 90% of operating funds come from the City, about 10% come from the County, while less than 1% come from the State and Federal governments combined. Additional support for the Library comes in the form of bond funds from the City, the County, and the State. In New Mexico, bond funds are used for buildings and also for materials. 

• Operations Funding 
  • Albuquerque funds the day to day costs of the 16 branch libraries within the City.
  • Bernalillo County funds the day to day costs of the 3 branch libraries outside of the City.
  • New Mexico provides a small amount of funding in the form of grants through the State Library.
  • The Federal Government provides a small amount of funding in the form of e-rate support for broadband connectivity.

 

• Bond Funding for Buildings
  • Albuquerque provides bond funds to pay for renovations, furnishings and new construction within the City limits. City bond packages are presented for voter approval every two years (in odd years).
  • Bernalillo County may provide bond funds for specific projects such as additional support for the International District Library. County bond packages are presented for voter approval every two years (in even years).
  • New Mexico may approve capital outlay funds during the annual session of the Legislature. Capital outlay may be used to pay for renovations, furnishings and new construction on specific projects. These appropriations are initiated by State Legislators and subject to approval by the Governor.

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• Bond Funding for Materials
  • Albuquerque, Bernalillo County and New Mexico all three provide bond funding for materials. Albuquerque presents their bond package for voter approval every two years (in odd years).  Bernalillo County and the State present their bond packages for voter approval every two years (in even years).