In her recent budget message, Executive Director Cheryl Heywood announced strategies that TRL is taking to address a budget shortfall, including an estimated $1.8 million reduction to the materials selection budget (approximately 37%). Collections staff have begun planning adjustments to purchasing practices to help mitigate the impacts of the budget reduction. In response to questions from the public we would like to share an overview of what library patrons can expect now, and in the months ahead.
Holds Ratio Increase
TRL uses a holds ratio to determine when to buy additional copies of popular titles. Previously, if an item reached the threshold of 5 holds to every 1 copy (5:1) we would purchase extra. This ratio will now increase to 6 holds to every 1 copy (6:1) and will be applied to both physical and digital items. However, due to the often substantially higher cost of digital items a 7:1 ration may be used in some cases.
Changes to Libby/Overdrive
Checkout and holds limits have already been reduced to 10 each, down from a limit of 12 previously. Going forward, fewer new titles will be added and fewer copies will be purchased overall.
Purchase Suggestions Paused
Due to restrictions on ordering new items, the option to submit a suggestion to add a title to the collection has been temporarily disabled. Users will see the "+Submit a Suggestion" button greyed out and unavailable in their library account dashboard. Once we have resumed a regular, although reduced, ordering pattern the purchase suggestion option will be enabled again.
Focus on High-Demand Materials
We are greatly restricting expenditures from February through April 2026 and new items added to the physical collection will be very limited. Our focus will be on high-demand authors popular subjects, films, TV, and series continuations.
Throughout the remainder of 2026, all areas of the collection will be evaluated for potential cost savings including print and digital collections, and online resources. To help us allocate limited funds appropriately in limited purchasing and higher holds ratios we are requesting that patrons consider canceling any holds that they may no longer want or need, especially on digital materials.
Thank you for your patience and understanding. Please check our Budget & Funding page or sign up for our newsletter to receive additional news and updates as soon as they are available.
