Key takeaways
- The New York Public Library is the largest system by budget, at about $390 million a year.
- Seven systems spend more than $160 million a year, led by New York and Los Angeles, which each have two of them.
- New York City's three systems together receive nearly $530 million in city funding for fiscal 2027.
- Aging buildings, technology upgrades and tight local budgets are shaping library spending in 2026 and 2027.
The US has roughly 9,000 public library systems, but a few big-city and county systems account for an outsized share of library spending. This list ranks the largest by their most recent annual budget or expenses.
The largest US public library systems
Ranked by the most recent annual operating budget or expense total each system or its government has published. The year and basis are shown for each.
| # | Library system | Annual budget | State | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York Public LibraryManhattan, the Bronx and Staten Island | About $390MTotal expenses, FY2024 | NY | An independent nonprofit funded largely by the city; the total includes its four research libraries, such as the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building. |
| 2 | Los Angeles Public LibraryCity of Los Angeles | $279.7MProposed 2026-27 | CA | City department; the city charter sets aside a share of property tax for the library, which rose by $9.9 million for 2026-27. |
| 3 | LA County Library49 cities and unincorporated Los Angeles County | $234.2MAdopted 2026-27 | CA | County department serving about 3.2 million people; the county approved a self-service modernization project in July 2026 to replace aging self-check equipment. |
| 4 | Brooklyn Public LibraryBrooklyn | $211.4MOperating revenue, FY2025 | NY | Independent nonprofit; its buildings average 74 years old, and system failures cost more than 1,000 hours of public service last year. |
| 5 | San Francisco Public LibraryCity and County of San Francisco | $198.0MApproved FY2027 | CA | Funded almost entirely by the voter-approved Library Preservation Fund; runs the Main Library and 27 branches. |
| 6 | Queens Public LibraryQueens | $188.1MBudget, FY2025 | NY | Independent nonprofit; city funds cover about two-thirds of the budget. |
| 7 | Chicago Public LibraryCity of Chicago, 81 branches | $169.3M2026 budget, all funds | IL | City department funded mainly by a dedicated library property tax, which the city raised by $9.1 million for 2026. |
| 8 | King County Library SystemSuburban and rural King County | $164.6MGeneral fund, 2025 budget | WA | Independent taxing district serving nearly 1.6 million residents; it is consistently among the busiest library systems in the country. |
| 9 | Las Vegas-Clark County Library DistrictClark County | $155.1MFY2027 budget, all funds | NV | Independent district with no outstanding debt; $107.9 million of the total is its general fund. |
| 10 | Multnomah County LibraryPortland and Multnomah County, 19 locations | $128.5MAdopted FY2027 operating | OR | Funded by its own library district tax; finishing projects from a 2020 voter-approved capital bond. |
| 11 | Miami-Dade Public Library SystemMiami-Dade County, about 50 locations | $124.5MProposed FY2026-27 operating | FL | Funded by a countywide library district property tax. |
| 12 | The Seattle Public LibraryCentral Library and 26 branches | $102.5M2026 operating budget | WA | City department; a voter-approved library levy pays for about one-third of the budget. |
| 13 | Free Library of PhiladelphiaCity of Philadelphia | $91.5MProposed FY2027, all funds | PA | City department; the fiscal 2027 capital budget includes $33 million for HVAC replacements and repairs. |
| 14 | Hennepin County LibraryMinneapolis and Hennepin County, 41 locations | About $73MCurrent budget, per county data | MN | County department; nearly 90% is funded by property taxes, and it proposed about $5 million in savings for 2027. |
Sources: library and city or county budget documents, board packets and audited financial statements; New York City Council budget reports; IRS Form 990 data; Institute of Museum and Library Services. Fiscal years and budget measures differ across systems, as shown for each row. Some large systems, including Houston, Harris County, Maricopa County, Phoenix, Columbus, Cuyahoga County and the District of Columbia, aren't ranked because comparable current figures weren't available. Close rankings are approximate.
How public library systems are run
- City and county departments run many big-city libraries, including Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Seattle, Philadelphia, LA County, Miami-Dade and Hennepin County. Their budgets go through the mayor or county board.
- Independent library districts levy their own taxes and have their own boards, such as King County, Las Vegas-Clark County and Multnomah County. They run their own procurement.
- Nonprofit systems serve New York City. The New York, Brooklyn and Queens public libraries are independent nonprofits, but city funding covers most of their operating costs and the city owns most of their buildings.
What's driving library spending in 2026
- Aging buildings. Many branches are decades old, and failing HVAC, roofs and elevators are forcing closures and large capital projects, as in Philadelphia and Brooklyn.
- Technology. Libraries are replacing self-checkout and sorting systems, expanding Wi-Fi and device lending, and investing in cybersecurity.
- Digital collections. E-book and audiobook demand keeps rising, and digital licenses often cost libraries far more than print copies.
- Tight local budgets. Cities and counties facing deficits are trimming library hours and staff, as in Hennepin County, while voters in places like Seattle are asked to renew dedicated library levies.
- Community services. Libraries are expanding job help, literacy, digital skills and social services, often with partner organizations.
What public libraries buy
- Collections: print books, e-books, audiobooks, databases and streaming services.
- Technology: library management systems, self-checkout and RFID, automated sorting, public computers and printing, Wi-Fi, hotspots and cybersecurity.
- Facilities: construction and renovation, HVAC, roofing, furniture, security cameras and access control.
- Programs and services: literacy and tutoring, workforce development, makerspaces and outreach vehicles.
- Operations: courier and delivery, cleaning, security services and staff training.
How public libraries buy
Library departments follow their city or county's procurement rules, while independent districts run their own bids under state law. Many libraries also buy through state library cooperatives, regional consortia and cooperative purchasing contracts; see our cooperative purchasing directory.
- Follow budget and levy cycles. New levies, bonds and budget increases become projects and purchases within months.
- Read board packets. Library boards publish agendas and purchase approval lists that show upcoming contracts and incumbent vendors.
- Watch capital plans. Branch renovations and new buildings drive spending on construction, furniture and technology.
- Register as a vendor. Libraries that are city or county departments use that government's supplier portal; see our state procurement portals.
- Reach the right people. Library directors, deputy directors, IT and facilities managers, collection managers and finance and procurement staff are the usual buyers.
How KSG helps
Kensington Sales Group's SDRs book meetings with public agencies across Federal, SLED, K-12 & Higher Ed, Healthcare, Tribal, Special Districts and Utilities, including city, county and district library systems. We find the directors, IT, facilities and procurement contacts at each system and time outreach to budget, levy and board cycles. Book a call to talk about your library targets.