CHPL Funding

[Abby Miranda]

Dear Orange County Commissioners,

My name is Abby Miranda, and I am a Chapel Hill resident. I am writing to express my concern about the proposed phase-out of funding for Chapel Hill Public Library and strongly urge you to continue supporting it.

I have been a member of the Chapel Hill Public Library since I was four years old. Some of my earliest memories are tied to that space. Now, as a parent, I take my son almost every week. I was proud to bring him to get his first library card when he was born, and today we regularly check out children’s books and spend time together there. The library has been a constant in my life, and now it plays the same role in his.

Orange County must keep funding CHPL. Continued funding for Chapel Hill Public Library supports education, access, and community stability across Orange County - for city and county residents..

Thank you for your time and your service.

Sincerely,
Abby Miranda
Chapel Hill, NC

[Liam Miranda]

Dear Orange County Commissioners,

I’m writing to urge you to continue funding the Chapel Hill Public Library.

As a parent of a young child, the library has become one of the most important places in our weekly routine. My son and I go every week, and it has given us far more than the books we check out. We’ve met other families there, attended story times and programs, and built genuine community connections.

The library is one of the few public spaces left where families from all backgrounds can gather, learn, and connect without cost being a barrier. That matters enormously, especially for young families and caregivers looking for places to belong in our community.

The proposed funding reduction would have a real impact on hours, programming, staffing, and access for thousands of Orange County residents. Chapel Hill Public Library is an extraordinary resource, and continuing to invest in it is an investment in literacy, childhood development, community connection, and the well-being of our county as a whole.

Thank you for your time and service to our community.

Liam Miranda

110 Farrington Drive, Chapel Hill NC 27514

[Jean Hamilton]

Dear Liam Miranda,

 

On behalf of the Orange County Board of Commissioners (BOCC), thank you for sharing your viewpoints about the county budget and phasing out the funding for the Chapel Hill Public Library. 

 

We appreciate the feedback as budget season continues with Budget Public Hearings on May 12 and May 28 and Budget Work Sessions on May 14, May 21, May 26, and June 4. These meetings as well as our regular business meetings provide an opportunity for resident to learn about how our county staff and the BOCC address budget choices. There will also be Budget Information Sessions on May 14, May 20, and May 21 for residents to drop in, ask questions of budget staff, and share their perspectives.

 

Sincerely,

Jean

 

Jean Hamilton, Chair

Orange County Board of Commissioners

---

From: Liam Miranda <liammi...@gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, May 5, 2026 10:46 PM
To: ALL_BOCC_MANAGER_CLERK <OCB...@orangecountync.gov>
Subject: CHPL Funding

 

CAUTION: External email. Do not click links or open attachments unless verified. Report suspicious emails with the Phish Alert Button located on your Outlook menu bar on the Home tab.

[Jean Hamilton]

Dear Abby Miranda,

 

On behalf of the Orange County Board of Commissioners (BOCC), thank you for sharing your viewpoints about the county budget and phasing out the funding for the Chapel Hill Public Library. 

 

We appreciate the feedback as budget season continues with Budget Public Hearings on May 12 and May 28 and Budget Work Sessions on May 14, May 21, May 26, and June 4. These meetings as well as our regular business meetings provide an opportunity for resident to learn about how our county staff and the BOCC address budget choices. There will also be Budget Information Sessions on May 14, May 20, and May 21 for residents to drop in, ask questions of budget staff, and share their perspectives.

 

Sincerely,

Jean

 

Jean Hamilton, Chair

Orange County Board of Commissioners

---

From: Abby Miranda <abby....@gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, May 5, 2026 8:16 PM

To: ALL_BOCC_MANAGER_CLERK <OCB...@orangecountync.gov>
Subject: CHPL Funding

CAUTION: External email. Do not click links or open attachments unless verified. Report suspicious emails with the Phish Alert Button located on your Outlook menu bar on the Home tab.

Dear Orange County Commissioners,

[Samantha Kaplan]

Dear Orange County Commissioners,

 As a resident of Carrboro, I am writing to express my concern about the proposed phase-out of funding for Chapel Hill Public Library and strongly urge you to vote to continue to fund the library. 

The library is an essential resource in our community for all residents of Orange County. I have lived in Carrboro for over 10 years and have always gone to CHPL at least once a month. From graduate student to young professional to new parent, CHPL has delivered valuable services and resources not available to me elsewhere. The accessible free parking and surrounding nature make it a favorite place for my young children. 

The proposed funding reduction of $621,323 (half during fiscal year 2027 and the remaining half at the beginning of fiscal year 2028) is 72% of the library’s total operating budget. This reduction would have a significant impact on library services, including hours, programs, and access to resources, especially for the 14,813 county residents who, if funding were lost, would have to either pay for an account at Chapel Hill Public Library or lose access. 

I respectfully ask that you reconsider this proposal and continue funding Chapel Hill Public Library. Investing in the world-class Chapel Hill Public Library is an investment in education, economic opportunity, and the well-being of everyone in our county. Thank you for your time and for your service to our community. Sincerely, 

Samantha Kaplan

205 Stable Rd, Carrboro 27510

[Wil Glenn]

Dear Samantha,

Thank you for sharing your perspectives regarding the county budget and the proposed phased reduction of funding for the Chapel Hill Public Library.

The Orange County Board of Commissioners (BOCC) will receive and consider your feedback as part of the ongoing budget process. Public input is an important part of these discussions, and your engagement is appreciated.

For more information, view the link below that includes key facts about the recommended library funding transition:

https://www.orangecountync.gov/DocumentCenter/View/38653/Chapel-Hill-Public-Library-Funding-Transition--Key-Facts

 

The budget schedule includes Public Hearings on May 12 and May 28, as well as Budget Work Sessions on May 14, May 21, May 26, and June 4. These meetings, along with the BOCC’s regular business meetings, provide opportunities for residents to learn more about the county’s budget priorities and decision-making process.

In addition, Budget Information Sessions will be held on May 14, May 20 (virtual: https://orangecountync.gov/BudgetSession), and May 21. These sessions allow residents to ask questions of budget staff, learn more about the recommended budget, and share their perspectives.

Thank you again for taking the time to participate in the process.

 

 

Wil Glenn

Community Relations Director

Orange County Government
Office Phone: 919.245.2302

Mobile Phone: 919.430.4900

Email: wgl...@orangecountync.gov

 

Sign up for Orange County News and Updates.

 

From: Samantha Kaplan <samanth...@gmail.com>
Sent: Friday, May 8, 2026 9:50 AM
To: ALL_BOCC_MANAGER_CLERK <OCB...@orangecountync.gov>
Subject: CHPL Funding

 

CAUTION: External email. Do not click links or open attachments unless verified. Report suspicious emails with the Phish Alert Button located on your Outlook menu bar on the Home tab.

Dear Orange County Commissioners,

[James Williams]

Dear Commissioners:
I am a resident of Carrboro and I write to express my concern regarding the proposed phase out of funding for the Chapel Hill Public Library. Please continue to fund the library at its current level. The CHPL provides programming and services that benefit the entire county and that no other entity provides. As one example, I will focus on the Chapel Hill Community History unit. They do stellar work with the community to document and share often untold or suppressed histories. I am a co-founder and former co-chair and former co-chair of OCCRC. I recently visited our website and reviewed our past events. Since 2019, 15 of those events took place at the Chapel Hill Public Library. Most of the events were well attended by diverse audiences from across the county. Indeed some attendees were from adjoining counties. But it’s not just the number but the high quality of the programming that impressed me most. Audience engagement and participation is an additional plus. At this critical moment in time we need more, not fewer engagements of this nature.
We could not do such programming without the critical support and guidance of Molly Lubby and her staff in the Chapel Hill Community History unit of the Library. If you eliminate funding as proposed, there is a distinct likelihood that our community will be deprived of this valuable resource. These programs are usually on the weekends or evenings and part-time employees are utilized. My suspicion is that if county funding is eliminated these positions will be the first to go.
Please continue the funding at the current level. The entire county benefits not just Chapel Hill residents.
Sincerely,
James E. Williams Jr.
James E. Williams Jr.
Attw...@gmail.com
(919)819-0364

[Wil Glenn]

Dear James,

Thank you for sharing your perspectives regarding the county budget and the proposed phased reduction of funding for the Chapel Hill Public Library.

The Orange County Board of Commissioners (BOCC) will receive and consider your feedback as part of the ongoing budget process. Public input is an important part of these discussions, and your engagement is appreciated.

For more information, view the link below that includes key facts about the recommended library funding transition:
https://www.orangecountync.gov/DocumentCenter/View/38653/Chapel-Hill-Public-Library-Funding-Transition--Key-Facts

The budget schedule includes Public Hearings on May 12 and May 28, as well as Budget Work Sessions on May 14, May 21, May 26, and June 4. These meetings, along with the BOCC’s regular business meetings, provide opportunities for residents to learn more about the county’s budget priorities and decision-making process.

In addition, Budget Information Sessions will be held on May 14, May 20 (virtual: https://orangecountync.gov/BudgetSession), and May 21. These sessions allow residents to ask questions of budget staff, learn more about the recommended budget, and share their perspectives.

Thank you again for taking the time to participate in the process.

Wil Glenn
Community Relations Director
Orange County Government
Office Phone: 919.245.2302
Mobile Phone: 919.430.4900
Email: wgl...@orangecountync.gov

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-----Original Message-----
From: James Williams <attw...@icloud.com>
Sent: Monday, May 11, 2026 1:04 PM
To: ALL_BOCC_MANAGER_CLERK <OCB...@orangecountync.gov>
Subject: CHPL Funding

CAUTION: External email. Do not click links or open attachments unless verified. Report suspicious emails with the Phish Alert Button located on your Outlook menu bar on the Home tab.

[HappyCrone]

Greetings ~

 As a Chapel Hill resident, I am writing to earnestly  request that funding for our CHPL be maintained. As one of our most valuable social and educational community resources, I hope you will continue to fully support such an asset. 

Thank you. 

Elizabeth Ryan

There must be always remaining in every life, some place for the singing of angels, some place for that which in itself is breathlessly beautiful. ~ Howard Thurman

Sent from Proton Mail for iOS.

[Wil Glenn]

Dear Elizabeth,

Thank you for sharing your perspectives regarding the county budget and the proposed phased reduction of funding for the Chapel Hill Public Library.

The Orange County Board of Commissioners (BOCC) will receive and consider your feedback as part of the ongoing budget process. Public input is an important part of these discussions, and your engagement is appreciated.

For more information, view the link below that includes key facts about the recommended library funding transition:

https://www.orangecountync.gov/DocumentCenter/View/38653/Chapel-Hill-Public-Library-Funding-Transition--Key-Facts

 

The budget schedule includes Public Hearings on May 12 and May 28, as well as Budget Work Sessions on May 14, May 21, May 26, and June 4. These meetings, along with the BOCC’s regular business meetings, provide opportunities for residents to learn more about the county’s budget priorities and decision-making process.

In addition, Budget Information Sessions will be held on May 14, May 20 (virtual: https://orangecountync.gov/BudgetSession), and May 21. These sessions allow residents to ask questions of budget staff, learn more about the recommended budget, and share their perspectives.

Thank you again for taking the time to participate in the process.

 

 

Wil Glenn

Community Relations Director

Orange County Government
Office Phone: 919.245.2302

Mobile Phone: 919.430.4900

Email: wgl...@orangecountync.gov

 

Sign up for Orange County News and Updates.

 

From: HappyCrone <Happy...@proton.me>
Sent: Tuesday, May 12, 2026 5:19 PM
To: ALL_BOCC_MANAGER_CLERK <OCB...@orangecountync.gov>
Subject: CHPL Funding

 

CAUTION: External email. Do not click links or open attachments unless verified. Report suspicious emails with the Phish Alert Button located on your Outlook menu bar on the Home tab.

Greetings ~