Connecticut libraries need you

Opposing Proposed Cuts to the BorrowIT Program

Background

The Governor’s FY27 budget reduces funding for the BorrowIT program from $703,000 to $563,000 — a cut of $140,000.

BorrowIT supports statewide resource sharing by reimbursing public libraries when materials are borrowed by residents from other towns. The program encourages libraries to share their collections and helps ensure that Connecticut residents can access high-quality library materials regardless of where they live.

Reducing BorrowIT funding undermines equity of access to library services across the state. Cuts of this size risk pushing libraries to limit participation or opt out of the program altogether, weakening the statewide system and reducing access for residents—especially those in communities with fewer local resources.

Library voices matter in this process. State legislators need to hear directly from the people who operate and rely on this program before or at the Appropriations Hearing on Tuesday, February 17.

How You Can Help

• Submit Testimony to the Appropriations Committee

• Contact Your State Representatives and State Senators

• Share This Page with Your Coworkers, Friends, and Family and Encourage Them to Participate

To Submit Testimony

Both written and verbal testimony are open to anyone. 

To Submit Written Testimony

1. Visit the Connecticut General Assembly website: https://www.cga.ct.gov/app/

2. Click Submit Public Hearing Testimony to go to the Appropriations Committee Written Testimony Submission page. 

3. Complete the First Name, Last Name, Title, and Organization fields or click the button to submit anonymously. 

4. Under Hearing Date and Time select 2/17/2026 3:00 P.M. from the drop-down menu. The Bill Number field should populate with Appropriations Committee Public Hearing on the Governor’s Proposed FY27 Budget.

5. Under “Supports or Opposes” click “Opposes.”

6. Upload or type in your written testimony opposing the BorrowIT funding reduction.

7. Click the button to acknowledge the privacy statement.

8. Click I’m not a robot.

9. Click Submit Testimony.

To Submit Verbal Testimony

Otherwise known as testifying, this takes more work but is the most persuasive. This is your opportunity to tell the Appropriations Committee how your library will be impacted by the cuts to BorrowIT funding and gives them the opportunity to ask you questions. You can choose to appear at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford or appear remotely via Zoom. 

1. Register by 3 p.m. the day prior to the hearing through the Appropriations Committee hearing page. We will update this page with a link to register once it goes live. 

2. Prepare a statement, no longer than 3 minutes, to be read at the hearing. Please see the templates at the end of this page if you need help getting started. 

3. The night prior to the hearing, the speaker’s order will be posted on the Appropriation Committee’s cga.ct.gov page. We will update this page with a link to the speaker’s order once it goes live.

4. Plan to arrive at the Legislative Office Building (LOB) or on Zoom at least 10-12 speakers prior to you. If you registered to testify via Zoom you will receive the link in advance.

5. When you are called:

1. In person: approach the stand, unmute your microphone, and begin your testimony. 

2. Via Zoom: unmute your microphone, turn on your camera, and present your testimony.

Who to contact

Contact your State Representative and your State Senator directly and let them know you oppose these cuts. You can contact your home town legislators as well as those in your library’s service district. While personal letters are preferred, form letters help too as they are judged on volume. If you would like a form letter please see the templates at the bottom of the page.

To find your library’s legislators: 

1. Visit: https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/menu/cgafindleg.asp

2. Click Districts by Town.

3. Find your library’s town to see all the Representatives and Senators that serve your library. Click your state’s representatives’ name and your state senators’ names to go to their official page and find their contact information.

To find your home town legislators: 

1. Visit: https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/menu/cgafindleg.asp

2. Select your town, select your street name from the drop-down menu, type in your address number, and click Find. 

3. Click your state representative’s name to go to their official page to find their contact information or hover over their title and district and their email will appear in the bottom left corner of your page.

4. Click your state senator’s name to go to their official page to find their contact information or hover over their title and district and their email will appear in the bottom left corner of your page.

Templates

The following short templates are meant to be customized. Please adapt them to reflect your own voice and experience. 

Template 1: Email to Legislator (Very Short)

Dear Senator/Representative [Last Name],

I’m writing to oppose the proposed $140,000 reduction to the BorrowIT program in the State Library budget.

BorrowIT is essential to equitable access to library materials across Connecticut. Cuts of this size risk pushing libraries to reduce participation or opt out, limiting access for residents statewide.

I urge you to support full funding for BorrowIT.

Sincerely,
[Name]
 [Role / Library]

Template 2: Email to Legislator (Short, Slightly Expanded)

Dear Senator/Representative [Last Name],

I am writing to express my opposition to the proposed reduction in funding for the BorrowIT program, currently within the State Library budget before the Appropriations Committee.

BorrowIT allows libraries to share materials across town lines and ensures that residents have access to quality library resources regardless of where they live. Reducing funding threatens the sustainability of this program and may force libraries to limit participation.

Please support restoring full funding for BorrowIT.

Thank you for your consideration,
[Name]
 [Role / Library]

Template 3: Written or Verbal Testimony

My name is [Name], and I am [role] at [library] in [town]. I am submitting testimony to oppose the proposed $140,000 cut to the BorrowIT program.

BorrowIT is a core part of Connecticut’s statewide library infrastructure. It makes it possible for residents to access materials beyond their home library and promotes equity of service across communities.

A funding reduction of this size risks discouraging libraries from participating, weakening resource sharing statewide and reducing access for patrons—particularly those in communities with fewer local resources.

I urge the committee to restore full funding for the BorrowIT program.