Library Board Meeting Update (2/9/2026)

Submitted by Sara Higgins

The Library Board met on Monday for the regular February meeting.

Highlighted agenda items include:

Polaris Project Presentation

Holly Barfield, Director of IT and Facilities, provided an update regarding FCPL’s scheduled integration of Vega Discover to the Polaris ILS in order to ensure compliance with new federal ADA requirements. Vega Discover is part of a cost-saving bundle that includes all language packs, an ADA-compliant app, hosted servers, unlimited staff licenses, patron and staff-facing eCommerce integrations, and more. ADA-compliant guidelines are beginning to be implemented on the FCPL website and social media platforms, and all other changes to FCPL systems are planned to meet the current deadline of April 24, 2026.

Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Adjustments

The Board voted unanimously to increase State revenue and Operations expenses by $4,000.00 to reflect a GPLS Marketing grant won by Leslie Marinelli and Sarah Reynolds. This grant funding will be used to run a targeted direct-mail public awareness campaign for Forsyth County residents who live within 2.5 miles of the Denmark Library.

The Board also voted unanimously to increase State revenue and Operations expenses by $1,500.00 to reflect FCPL's share of a GPLS grant from the Sandra Dunagan Deal Center for Early Language and Literacy.

Fiscal Year 2027 Budget

Official 2026 State Health enrollment numbers were received mid-to-late January, resulting in revisions to the Fiscal Year 2027 budget request. Adrianne Junius acknowledged Director of Support Services Tonya Wallace and her team for their amazing work on these revisions. Board Chair Flo Valdes also thanked Tonya and her team. 

The Board voted unanimously to approve FCPL’s Fiscal Year 2027 proposed budget as presented, including revenues of $11,881,683, expenditures of $12,222,669, reserves of $366,700, and $707,686 in budgetary fund balance.

2027 County Budget Request

Due to rising operational and personnel costs, FCPL staff recommended that the Board requests $147,960.00 from the County for FY2027. In addition, and as has historically been done, staff recommended that a pay increase for Library staff be provided if one is provided to County staff. The Board voted unanimously to approve FCPL's request to Forsyth County Government for Calendar Year 2027 as presented.

Post Road Library Road Widening Project

Adrianne Junius provided an updated proposal, reviewed by Capital Projects, to cover the removal and replacement of various items required by the Post Road widening project. The Board voted unanimously to accept the offer of $106,717 from Forsyth County Government for construction and repair costs related to the widening of Post Road. Flo Valdes asked whether we can start before the county begins construction, and Holly Barfield confirmed which areas of the project we can complete in advance.