Campus Community – Update on University Library Budget
We appreciate the campus community’s concern for the library and the advocacy from the California Faculty Association. We want to provide additional context about our budget situation. The library is experiencing funding pressure from multiple factors. The Library budget allocation in 2024–25 was $7,006,987, which was reduced by 11% in 2025–26 to $6,220,232.
The library is experiencing funding pressure from multiple factors. When comparing available one-time funding from previous years to current allocations, combined with inflation in subscription costs, the gap can appear dramatic. However, it’s important to understand the full picture.
The library’s operations budget has historically relied on one-time funds from various sources, including cell tower funds, lottery funds, and other revenue streams. These allocations are neither guaranteed nor sustainable. Inflation in journal and database subscription costs has significantly increased our expenses while one-time funding has decreased. This combination creates budget pressure in the library.
Like all campus units, we are adjusting our operations accordingly. The university is currently in a hiring freeze, and vacant positions will mostly remain unfilled. Current faculty and staff positions are not at risk.
While we value the support and advocacy, there is not a need to “save the library.” The library is addressing budget constraints through standard management practices:
We remain committed to supporting the campus’s teaching, learning, and research needs with the resources available.
What You Can Do
- Please be patient and partner with us as we work to provide alternative solutions.
- Watch for updates from your subject librarian, and make use of services that remain available, such as interlibrary loan (ILL).
- Stay in contact with us and let us know what you need—we will continue to do our best to assist.
We understand that these reductions will be difficult for the entire campus community. We deeply appreciate your patience, understanding, and support as we work toward a more stable financial future for the library and the university.
Please see the navigation tabs for information about specific services and collections.
We also welcome your comments, questions, and concerns through our feedback form.
