The proposed 2012 total library tax levy is $8,796,596 and was unanimously approved by the elected Board of Trustees. The tax levy pays for the library’s operating budget and the Branch Improvement Plan, which was approved by voters in February 2007. The 2012 tax levy is an increase of $1.7 million over the current year.
An Albany resident with a $150,000 home will pay approximately an additional $47.38 next year for the library, or about 91 cents each week.
The proposed budget allows the library to keep the doors open at all seven libraries in the newly expanded and improved system, including two brand-new and three renovated neighborhood branches. The increase will also add a few hours a week at the branches and some needed improvements at the Main Library. Two library trustee seats are also up for election.
Polls are open from 7 a.m. until 9 p.m. on Tuesday, May 17.
If the budget passes, the library can:
If the budget fails, the library will have to consider:
What is the Albany Public Library vote on?
The actual ballot language will be listed in the voting machine as follows:
Shall the sum of $6,943,971 be raised by annual levy of a tax upon the taxable real property within the City School District of Albany for the purpose of funding the operating budget of the Albany Public Library? Yes____ No____
The ballot will also contain an election to fill two seats on the Library Board of Trustees. Voters will be asked to vote for two of the four candidates. Listed in ballot order, they are: Donna Dixon of Fleetwood Avenue, Felix Mendoza of Jennings Drive, José Lopez of View Avenue, and Timothy D. Smith of Hudson Avenue.
When and where is the vote?
The vote will be held on Tuesday, May 17, 2011 from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. in conjunction with the Albany City School District budget vote. The polling places are determined by the school district.
Who is eligible to vote?
Anyone registered to vote in the school district election is eligible to vote in the library election.
Will people be allowed to vote by absentee ballot?
Yes, people can vote by absentee ballot. Information and a downloadable ballot are available through a link on the school district website at www.albanyschools.org.
How many votes are needed for the passage of the library tax levy proposal?
A majority of those cast in the election.
How much is the proposed library tax levy increase?
After much deliberation, the library board voted unanimously to present a budget that represents a 25 percent increase over the current year’s total tax levy. That percentage means an actual increase of 32 cents per $1,000 of assessed value. This would bring the library’s total tax to $1.58 per $1,000 of assessed value in 2012. The owner of a home assessed at $150,000 will pay an additional $47.38 per year—or 91 cents a week.
Why is the library presenting a significantly increased budget to voters?
We need a one-time adjustment in our budget because we have greater demands on a bigger, better library system. We have 42 percent more square footage in our system and three libraries we didn’t own before. This larger system, coupled with the increased demand, requires more staff, more materials such as books, more technology, more maintenance, and more energy to operate the expanded libraries.
Without this increase, we’d be facing a projected annual one million dollar deficit. We’ve tightened our belts, but it simply costs more to run a bigger systems of libraries with increased services and resources that is being used by more people.
Have you cut your costs?
Yes. We’ve frozen 13 positions and eliminated the Bookmobile. We renegotiated health benefits with our employees at a savings of over $100,000. We’re also not sending out paper overdue and hold notices anymore. These efforts have closed the gap—but not enough.
Does STAR apply to the library tax?
No, STAR does not apply to the library tax.
How will the library tax dollars be used?
The library tax levy will be used to support the 2012 annual operating costs of the library, including the expanded facilities and services of the new/renovated libraries, maintenance of the various collections and technology, staff salaries and benefits, and other operating expenses. There is also a little money in the budget to add a few hours at the branches and to do some cosmetic improvements at the Main Library.
What other sources of income does the library have?
The 2012 budget includes supplemental income from state and federal grants, foundation and individual contributions, and earned income including copying and printing fees, fines and other fees. The majority of support for the library comes from the annual tax levy.
Why can’t you just charge a fee to anyone who uses the library?
It is against the NYS Education Law, which requires that public library service must be “forever free.”
What will happen if the voters do not approve the tax levy increase?
If it fails, the library will have to consider things like: closing the branches on the weekends and one additional day during the week, closing the Main Library on weekends and additional hours during the week, cutting new materials by 50 percent, cutting after-hours meeting room use for community organizations, charging for interlibrary loans, cutting the number of story times and other programs, reducing public access computer availability, and drastically reducing staff.
Why should I support the library if I don’t use it?
We strongly encourage all residents to take advantage of all that the library has to offer. A public library improves the value of the community as a whole. Libraries provide everyone the opportunity for life-long learning:
Libraries offer everyone access to information and resources
Libraries give children and teens a safe place to play and learn
Libraries help people find jobs
Libraries serve as neighborhood anchors
Libraries raise property values
Libraries provide people with the tools to better themselves
Libraries are true community centers
Libraries, like school systems and hospitals, are essential community resources. Businesses and homeowners look closely at these “quality of life” resources when they make decisions about where to locate. A good public library helps attract people to our community and enhances the quality of life for all our residents.