Budget Information

Where does Library funding come from?

The Library receives most of its operational funding from Mecklenburg County (approximately 90%). Other funding sources, such as the State of North Carolina, the City of Charlotte, and the Mecklenburg ABC Board, make up a small portion of the Library’s operational funding.

 

Additionally, the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation seeks private contributions, grants and sponsorships throughout the year to support library services for all ages and provide resource enhancements. Revenue from fines and fees is also used to serve the community above and beyond what tax-based funding provides.

 

While the Library receives much of its funding from Mecklenburg County, the Library is a separate, independent entity with its own governing body, the Board of Trustees.

 

The Library operates on a fiscal year that begins July 1.
 

FY 2024 Library Funding

The Library's FY 2024 budget will be presented to the Library Board of Trustees for adoption on June 28, 2023.

FY 2024 PROPOSED BUDGET - POSTED 6/08/2023

The Library's budget, which begins July 1, 2023 is approximately $53.8 million, with $47.1 million coming from Mecklenburg County. The budget was approved by the Library Board of Trustees on June 28, 2023.

FY 2024 Budget Adopted by the Board of Trustees
 

 

FY 2023 Library Funding

The Library's FY 2023 budget will be presented to the Library Board of Trustees for adoption on June 27, 2022.

FY 2023 PROPOSED BUDGET - POSTED 6/13/2022

The Library's budget, which begins July 1, 2022 is approximately $53.5 million, with $42.3 million coming from Mecklenburg County. The budget was approved by the Library Board of Trustees on June 27, 2022.

FY 2023 Budget Adopted by the Board of Trustees

 

FY 2022 Library Funding

The Library's FY 2022 budget will be presented to the Library Board of Trustees for adoption on June 21, 2021.

FY 2022 PROPOSED BUDGET - POSTED 6/10/2021

 

The Library's budget, which begins July 1, 2021 is approximately $43.4 million, with about $39 million coming from Mecklenburg County. The budget was approved by the Library Board of Trustees on June 21, 2021.

FY 2022 Budget Adopted by the Board of Trustees

 

A Commitment to Service is reflected in the Library's Budget.
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library has a strong commitment to customer service. The greatest asset and expense that the Library has is in its personnel. Personnel expense has historically been approximately 75% of the Library’s total budget, followed by General Operating (building maintenance, utilities and basic operational expenses), Books and Materials, and Programs & Outreach.

 

Fiscal Stewardship

Each year, an independent audit is conducted on the Library’s financial statements, internal controls and compliance with government accounting standards. The Library’s financial reports (and the audit opinions on those reports) are available here:

FY 2023 Annual Audit
FY 2022 Annual Audit
FY 2021 Annual Audit
FY 2020 Annual Audit
FY 2019 Annual Audit
FY 2018 Annual Audit
FY 2017 Annual Audit 
FY 2016 Annual Audit
FY 2015 Annual Audit
FY 2014 Annual Audit
FY 2013 Annual Audit
FY 2012 Annual Audit
FY 2011 Annual Audit
(older reports available upon request.)

RFP

Check to see if the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library has an active Request for Proposal (RFP).