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General News: Library Budget Up for Approval
March 22, 2014
CORNWALL, NY – In preparation for the annual Library Budget Vote that will take place at Cornwall Public Library on Tuesday, April 8th, the Library’s Board of Trustees approved the proposed Operating Budget for the next fiscal year.
On the April 8th ballot will be the vote on the 2014/2015 Library Operating Budget of $1,164,267.41 of which $1,099,467.41 is to be raised by taxes. The breakout is as follows:
Proposed 2014/2015 Library Operating Budget
Library Materials $ 119,156.00
Building Operations $ 118,888.00
Salaries & Benefits $ 767,479.41
Library Operations $ 96,370.00
Capital Equipment $ 62,374.00
Budget 2013/2014 $ 1,164,267.41
Income $ 64,800.00
Total to be raised from taxes $ 1,099,467.41
Raised from taxes 2013/2014 $1,050,211.73
Projected Rate per $1,000 of Assessed Value
2014/2015 2013/2014
Cornwall $ .87 $0.83
New Windsor $3.47 $3.31
Woodbury $1.53 $1.46
The estimated annual library tax increase would be $8.00
for a house in Cornwall with an assessed value of $205,000.
The Cornwall Public Library has answered the requests of the community and it is ready to install the new sound mitigation panels which will help reduce the noise levels in the children’s section and near the circulation desk. Although the library has been successful in obtaining a state grant and securing donations through the Cornwall Public Library Foundation’s fundraising efforts, it is still in need of additional funding to complete this project.
The Cornwall Public Library has also seen a dramatic increase in the request for technology, in various forms and programs, in the past years. The demand for e-books and downloadable audiobooks has increased over 20% in the last year alone. Programs using the Friends of the Library grant-supported laptop and iPad lab are a sell-out almost immediately. The new Early Literacy iPad lab (funded by a grant from the Verizon Foundation through the Cornwall Public Library Foundation) has just been introduced to rave reviews. In order to meet the high demands of the community for all the new technology, the Cornwall Public Library has increased the budget slightly to purchase additional e-books and equipment and to hire a part time staff person to guide and maintain the ongoing programs and technology. While there are some increases in spending for technology, the board also strives to provide a rich and responsive traditional print collection – also reflected in the budget.
Also on the ballot will be election of two (2) library trustees, each for a 5-year term commencing July 1, 2014. Joseph Barth and Buzz Solomon will be completing their respective terms on June 30th.
“The Trustees, working in solid partnership with Treasurer, Karen Staples, CPA, and Library Director, Karen La-Rocca-Fels, have worked diligently to prepare a cost-effective, conservative budget that addresses the needs and requests of our community. We encourage all registered voters to come out and vote on April 8th,” said Susanne Vondrak, President of the library’s Board of Trustees.” “We recognize the budget’s financial impact to taxpayers and want to stress the tremendous value our library represents with its stellar programs and services.”
Voting will take place at Cornwall Public Library from 10AM until 9PM on Tuesday, April 8th. In order to vote, one must be a resident in the Cornwall Central School District and registered to vote in a general or school district election. New voters are required to register in person up to 5 days prior to the election. Absentee ballots are available by stopping in Cornwall Public Library, or contacting (845) 534-8282.
For more information, please contact Karen LaRocca-Fels, Library Director, at 534-8282, ext. 201, or by e-mail at [email protected].
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