Budget and Funding

The Library has three sources of funding: the City of Watertown, the Library Fines Fund and donations. The City of Watertown each year makes an appropriation from its General Fund to cover the costs for personnel, operations, and materials to run the Library. The Library Fines Fund is used to purchase computer equipment and other equipment for public use. The Library currently has two ongoing sources of donated funds: the Friends of the Library and the "Lorraine B. Case Once Upon a Time Fund" at the Watertown Community Foundation.

The City and Fines Fund budget process begins in June with submission of the City Capital Improvements and Personnel (CIP) budget which includes salaries and the "book budget." In July, the Operations portion of the city budget and the Fines Fund budget are prepared and submitted. August is when the final City and Fines Fund budgets are adopted for the following year.

2008 Budget information