Arlington Public Library Gets $543K Budget Boost To Expand Collection

ARLINGTON, VA — Arlington Public Library received a one-time funding boost of $543,000 for fiscal year 2023 to expand its collection of books, eBooks and other materials.

With the collections budget increase, the library plans to add 12,000 titles to its circulation and reduce wait times for popular eBooks and eAudiobooks.

“The additional funds will allow us to get more books into more hands, more quickly,” Arlington Public Library Director Diane Kresh said in a statement. “A well-stocked, diverse collection benefits the entire community.”

On April 26, the Arlington County Board adopted a $1.5 billion county budget for fiscal year 2023. The adopted expenditure budget for the county's Department of Libraries was $16.5 million, a 10-percent increase from the fiscal year 2022 adopted budget.

Along with reducing wait times for books and other materials, the $543,000 one-time collections funding will support the library system's plans to re-engage the community after a two-year pandemic through creative programming.

“Our top priority is to ensure patrons have access to books and information in multiple formats,” Kresh said. “Patrons should be able to read and access information, when and how they want it.”

The demand for electronic titles is at an all-time high, with an increase of 210 percent for eAudio titles and 98.5-percent increase for eBooks, according to Arlington Public Library.

Arlington Public Library plans to expand three existing popular collection services: provide additional print and eBook titles for its “Grab & Go” express book collection; increase the “Always Available” eBook and eAudiobook collection; and expand its volume of Spanish language books.

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