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General News: Proposed Library Budget Up 8%
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| Computer use at the library is up 22 percent. |
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| The Fast Fiction bookshelves at the library. |
April 05, 2011
By Ross Miller
The proposed 2011-2012 budget for the Cornwall Public Library goes to voters on Tuesday, April 12. From 10am till 9pm, residents within the Cornwall Central School District may cast their ballots in the library’s community room. A resident who is not already registered to vote may register in person at the library.
Budget Increase to Cover Mandated Costs
The budget would result in an 8.1 percent tax increase or a $15 increase over last year’s library costs for the owner of a house in Cornwall assessed at $250,000. The communities of New Windsor and Woodbury assess home values differently, but the annual levy is essentially the same.
Library board president Joe Barth explained that the board decided against spending more on library materials, programming and office operations in order to minimize the tax increase. Mandated increases in health care and retirement benefits account for a large part of the budget increase and some employees are slated to get a one percent wage increase to achieve wage parity between longer-serving and more recently-hired staff members. Library director Karen LaRocca-Fels is not receiving a salary increase for next year.
Library’s Rich Local History Archives
Barth emphasized the library’s value to the community which is participating more in programs for adults and children and taking out more books to read. He also described all the rich historical materials, much of it on micrfiche, that is available to patrons.
Asked why there was no contingency budget being proposed, Barth indicated that the board would need to discuss alternatives should the budget be rejected. “It is likely that we would have to authorize cutting services further in order to maintain the current budget allocation,” he said.
Partnerships Expand Resources for Patrons
Ms. LaRocca-Fels reviewed various economies of scale achieved through multiple partnerships. In addition to its participation in the 48-member Ramapo Catskill Library System (RCLS), the library is also associated both with the Southeastern Library Resources Council that gives access to materials in colleges and universities, as well as the national interlibrary loan program. As a member of the Public Library Association, library staff attend informative webinars (web-broadcasted seminars) at the library to learn about best practices and innovative approaches in managing library resources. “Without travel budgets, these webinars offer effective low-cost encounters with library professionals from around the country,” Ms. LaRocca-Fels explained.
She highlighted the dramatic increase in the use of library services, especially in computer use, which has seen a 22 percent increase. Patrons use online resources for job preparation and placement, test preparation for civil service and college admission exams, and a variety of skill-building programs, including a foreign language learning program.
Three Candidates for Library Trustee
The board and director have begun developing a new five-to-10 year plan for the library. Maintaining the library’s physical plant is among the high priorities for near-future improvements. Ms. La-Rocca Fels is hopeful that the interior could be repainted, in a color to help minimize scuffs and wear-and-tear. Mr. Barth acknowledged that the board is in preliminary discussions and planning to establish a foundation to augment the annual financial demands on local taxpayers.
Voters will also choose among three candidates for three open positions on the board. Candidates this year are Cheryl Buescher, Roberta Sherman, and Buzz Solomon.
Additional information on budget details may be found at the library’s website at www.cornwallpubliclibrary.org/PDF/2011-2012budgetbrochure.pdf.
Comments:
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Just crunched the numbers on this one.
Yearly Budget: $1,040,049.
Yearly visitors: 150,000
Therefore, cost per person per visit: $6.93
Wow.
posted by J Klein on 04/05/11 at 2:13 PM
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Can't the public library take a page from the volunteer fire department? As a public library, are we not allowed to utilize volunteers? Are we required to only use paid staff? I think these are questions worth asking in light of the proposed 8% increase in our annual library tax plus the huge cloud of economic uncertainty that hangs over our state and region. Certainly, a library is essential but with a community full of highly educated people who may be able to provide their time as volunteers, shouldn't we explore ways such as this to reduce costs?
posted by PETER MALONE on 04/06/11 at 8:40 AM
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Good idea. I'd be happy to volunteer, and perhaps that's also something the Friends of the Library could provide.
posted by Stephan Wilkinson on 04/06/11 at 11:15 AM
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I hope that the rest of the senior citizens in town are paying attention and come out in droves to vote NO for this budget because the future is sure looking bleak for us forgotten citizens on a fixed income. If anyone has not noticed the price of gasoline has increased more than 20 percent since January.. Food prices have skyrocketed. Obama care has caused the medicare tax to negate any raise for social security. The Village has levied more tax on our water usage. Our beloved library has expanded its services and wants an 8.1 percent tax increase? Its seems as if no one wants to do what?s right and necessary to keep our society from crumbling. So just follow our politicians lead and spend , spend , spend our country into oblivion. I URGE ALL SENIOR CITIZENS TO COME OUT AND VOTE NO! on April 12 It?s time for a senior citizen revolt.
posted by William Powell on 04/06/11 at 11:47 PM
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Mr. Powell,
I have the utmost admiration for the seniors of our Contry but must respectfully disagree. A library crosses all multigenerational lines, races, poverty or affluence. It is open to all, warm in the winter and cool in the summer. A gathering place for community, one thing that is so lost in our generation. Please help and guide our generation. you know the one you are leaving behind. we need a 21st Century renaissance of public access (we dont have it along our riverfront) with this valuable resource - teach us about the meaningful parts of society that once was, a gathering place. Not a cell phone, text messaging or facebook... perhaps a paperbook simply from the library that I can walk to.
posted by j h on 04/07/11 at 8:17 AM
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An examination of the services offered by the Cornwall Public Library to residents of all age group shows that the library gives back more to the community than it takes in from tax money. The replacement value of all of the items circulated last year far exceeds this year's tax levy. Other valuable services that are available to residents include: a collection of on line reference materials, a diverse collection of periodicals, and a local history collection. Programs that attract residents from all age groups provide an experience that can't be matched anywhere else. All this is accomplished by a staff that is not getting rich from working in the library, there are no six figure salaries being received by any library staff members. We have a wonderful resource in our public library and I urge you to support the library budget on April 12th.
Joseph Barth
President
CPL Board of Trustees
posted by Joseph Barth on 04/07/11 at 11:10 AM
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The Cornwall Library agrees that volunteers play an important role in our library. We could not offer all that we do without them. The Summer Program alone uses 30 teen volunteers and the Friends have over 18 volunteers working at the bookstore. It is during these difficult times that the Library really shines. Those without jobs can use our computers, those on fixed incomes can borrow a book or watch a movie, and residents, regardless of age or income, can take classes or listen to concerts. It is important to realize that 15% more people used these services this past year at no additional cost to the community. The increase in the budget is due to mandated expenses, not expansion costs. The Cornwall Public Library is the best deal in town.
posted by Susanne Vondrak on 04/07/11 at 1:37 PM
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