Olean Public Library Budget

Budget Hearing Tuesday April 8th at 7pm in the library.

Philosophy — Not Numbers

It’s important that you understand our philosophy before you vote.

Each year we, as Trustees, go through the same agonizing decision-making process, whether to present a budget that we think voters will approve of, or to present a budget which reflects our perception of the community’s needs.

We traditionally select the second alternative: this budget is one which will enable us to continue providing you with all the things to which you have become accustomed and which make the library the truly outstanding center of the community that it is.

In the past you have shown faith in our ability to provide materials, services, and surroundings which are consistent with your needs and desires. We cannot, in good faith, limit our proposed budget to an amount we think you will approve. That would be unfair to you. What we must do is carefully decide how many tax dollars it will take to run the Library in a way that will both please you and serve you. This, we think, is what Trustees are supposed to do, and it is what we have done.

If our perception is accurate and you agree with our philosophy, it is important that you tell us that at the polls. If, on the other hand, we have misjudged your desires, you must tell us so at the polls. We hope that we have your support.

We ask this of you: carefully consider our ideas and don’t make your decision based simply upon numbers. Consider the actual cost to you; see what a small portion it is of your total tax. Compare your share of the cost of the Library to other family expenses you routinely pay without a second thought.

There is no doubt that the Library is the best buy for your tax dollar, something you can use and enjoy! You can see how it’s run and you can see the quality and diversity of the materials and programs we offer. We think you like what you see, and we think you’d like to keep it that way.

Please vote in support of our library budget proposal.

 The Library Trustees

 

Budget hearing – Tuesday, April 8, 2014

On May 6, 2014 you will be asked to vote upon one proposition for 2014:

Shall the Board of Education of the Olean City School District be authorized to raise by tax levy upon the taxable property thereof, an additional $19,205 for the Olean Public Library to increase its annual appropriation from $960,260 to $979,465?

First Tax Increase in 5 Years

An increase in funds is needed to balance

• additional purchases of Books, eBooks, DVD’s, Audio-Books & other Library Materials.
• continued Library Programming for all ages
• building maintenance, fuel and utility costs.
• increases in wage and retirement costs.

The estimated impact on the tax rate for school district residents will be:

City of Olean, an additional 3¢ per $1,000 of assessed property value

Town of Olean an additional 3¢ per $1,000 of assessed property value

Town of Portville an additional 3¢ per $1,000 of assessed property value

Proposed 2015 Operating Budget

INCOME
Real property tax	$979,465
Earnings from investments	2,000
Local Sponsor Incentive Aid	6,450
Library System Grant	250
Gifts and donations	19,000
Sale of used books	100
Copy machine receipts and other miscellaneous income	35,000
NYS CLD Grant	29,350
NYSCA Grant Other CCLS Grants	17,000 100
Library charges	16,500
Appropriated fund balance	74,856
total income	$1,180,071
APPROPRIATIONS
Salaries and benefits	$791,952
Library materials	159,500
Building operation & maintenance	123,119
Administrative expenses	105,500
total appropriations	$1,180,071

 

2013 Budget Vote and Trustee Election

Budget Vote and Election of Trustees will take place in the library on Tuesday, May 1, 2012 from 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM.

Absentee Ballot

• Application to receive an Absentee Ballot for Library Trustee Election and Budget Vote are available now at the library
• Must be received by the library no later than 5:00 PM on Thursday, April 19, 1012 for mailed ballots
• Must be received by the library no later than 5:00 PM on Monday, April 30, 1012 for hand-delivered ballots

Election of Candidate

Library Trustee Member – two (2) vacancies due to the expiration of the terms of office presently held by Darcy Branch and Lanna Waterman.

• Nominating Petitions available at the library
• Signatures of at least twenty-five (25) qualified voters of the school district required
• Must be received by the library no later than 5:00 PM on Friday, March 30, 1012

FAQ

What if I have questions?
Attend the Budget Hearing on Tuesday, April 17 @ 7:00 PM, visit the library or call the library Director at (716) 372-0200.

What is your library worth to you?

The New York State Library Association has an interesting tool that you can use to figure out how much your library is worth to you each year.  You can access it here.

Here is a quick break down of what some of the services offered by the Olean Public Library are worth:

Hardcover book           $18

Paperback book            $8

Videos                               $3

Music CDs                        $12

Audiobooks                    $23

Magazines                        $4

Meeting Rooms             $50/hr

Adult Programs            $18

Kids Programs               $15

Computer Use                $3/hr

Questions answered     $8/question

 

Also, in Olean it costs between $2.80 and $3.35 to rent a DVD and approximately $4 to rent a video game from rental establishments – at the Olean Public Library – it is free with your Library Card!

So, now that you have some figures, how much is your library worth to you each week? Each month?? Each Year???

Cattaraugus County is Proposing a 20% Cut in Funding to Libraries

Ask Your County Legislator to Restore Full Funding to Libraries!

Why?

Libraries serve all people in the county: toddlers to teens, and adolescents to older adults.  Libraries provide life long learning opportunities: “no fees,” “no tuition,” and “no contracts.” Libraries give a great return on your investment.  Libraries provide three dollars of service for every dollar they spend.

The Olean Public Library receives $14,222 in aid to purchase library materials in part from Cattaraugus County funding to the Library System and from NYS aid provided to the Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library System.  County funding also helps provide the twice a week delivery service to the libraries throughout the county.  These services and others are in jeopardy.  The 20% cut in library funding the county is proposing could trigger a 25% cut in New York State Aid to our system.

The Olean Public Library receives additional NYS Aid money from the Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library System.  This funding is used to purchase reference materials, adult non-fiction books, and electronic databases.  Additionally, NYS aid provides partial funding for a Librarian position and helps with the Olean Library’s general operating budget.  This state funding amounts to almost $56,000.  If the proposed 20% cut in library funding takes place, the Olean Public Library could lose not only the book aid money of $14,222 provided by the county funding but an additional $14,000 in NYS funds that come to Olean through the Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library System.

The County is trying to save $17,000 by reducing funding to the Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library System.  Unfortunately, this cut could have a huge impact on the Olean Public Library.  We could lose more than $28,000 in funding.  Now is not the time to cut funding to libraries.

Call or Write Your County Legislator Today!

2008 Highlights from the Olean Public Library

• You made 123,593 visits to the library in 2008.
• You borrowed 188,658 books, magazines, videos, CDs, CD-ROMS and other items.
• You asked Reference 10,716 questions.
• You used computers and Internet services 19,355 times.
• You held 450 meetings in the Conference Room, Art Gallery, and Story Hour Room.
• You borrowed 380 items from outside the Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library System and 5,275 items from other libraries within the system.
• 79 Events, Presentations, and Workshops for all ages and interests were held including Family Fun Day, Crochet & Knitting Group, Brown Bag Book Club, ARVAS Tank Show, origami, TV script writing, and lectures on the Rare Book collection at SBU, the Civil War, Susan B. Anthony, and the archaeology of the area.
• 15 Literary Events featuring AlleCat Reads Dead Man Walking, visiting authors Sister Helen Prejean, George Johnson, Francis Richey, Ed Sanders, Paul Wieland, & the Creative Writers Group.
• 9 Art Gallery Exhibits featuring Southern Tier Biennial winner solo show, Errol Daniels, Robert Holland, Georgia Timper, & Jeffery McMillian.
• The Summer Reading Program had 312 children and teens registered.
• There were 244 Story Time, Investigation Stations, & Baby Sign sessions for your infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children.

• Through your generosity we received over $15,412 in memorials, gifts, and donations.
• Friends of the Library of Olean, New York, Inc. gave $13,003 from the Book Endowment for circulating library materials.
• Friends of the Library of Olean, NY, Inc. gave $2,000 for library programs and presentations.
• Friends of the Library of Olean, NY, Inc. sponsored receptions at artists’ exhibit openings.