This year marks the 50th Anniversary of the founding of the Guilderland Public Library. For half a century, the Library has grown as the community has grown, and has served Guilderland as an information resource, an oasis of lifelong learning, and as the town’s cultural center.

As the Library is about to enter a new season of service to Guilderland, it’s time for eligible voters to make a choice by voting on the Library’s budget for the coming fiscal year. The Library’s Board of Trustees has proposed a modest increase of $0.04 per $1,000 of assessed value in the tax levy to enhance the Library’s levels of service, and to fund some new and innovative programs.

During the current fiscal year, some 1,000 people a day used the Library borrowing 1,700 books, CDs, DVD, and other materials daily. Some 20,000 of you came to the hundreds of programs and special events held at the Library, everything from Consumer Health Information programs to the ever-popular children’s storytimes. These and the wealth of other programs the Library offers are open to all residents of Guilderland.

In proposing the new budget, Treasurer Ellen Sanchez Doolin states “We are pleased to note that this budget will fund three of the community’s requests: full Saturday hours during July and August; an increase to our book and materials acquisitions budget; and the purchase of two additional public Internet computers. Furthermore, we look forward to some exciting and community-building programs as part of the 50th Anniversary programs, the Growing for Generations series.”

The total proposed budget for 2007-2008 is $2,816,625. The proposed tax levy is $2,601,498, an increase of $143,579. As noted above, this translates to a modest increased levy of four cents per one thousand dollars of assessed value.

Library Director Barbara Nichols Randall states that the Library will soon host a series of special events that will trace the Library’s growth as part of the community. This “Growing for Generations” series will start in early June and continue through November. She invites members of the public to contact her with any questions about the budget or about Library events.

A public hearing on the Library Budget will be held Thursday, May 10, at 7 pm, in the Library’s Normanskill Room. The public is encouraged to attend; the Board of Trustees will answer questions from the public.

Eligible voters in the Guilderland Central School district are encouraged to vote on the Library Budget, The vote will be held 7 am to 9 pm on Tuesday, May 15.

The Guilderland Public Library is located at 2228 Western Avenue, Guilderland. Call 456-2400 for more information. Or visit www.GuilderlandPublic.info. Email info@GuilderlandPublic.info
Notice Date:
April 23, 2007
Contact:
Mark Curiale, Public Information Specialist, at 456-2400 x 12. Cell 908-295-1461
Guilderland Public Library
curialem@uhls.lib.ny.us