Types of Budget Votes

There are four main types of votes available to public libraries in New York State. They include Chapter 414, Chapter 259, Special District, and School District.While each have their place, the most common votes initiated by area libraries are 414 and Special District votes. Here are some important facts about each:

414

• Open to association and municipal libraries.
• Once passed, it secures the level of funding approved. The process must be repeated to get an increase.
• This vote type does not call for public election of trustees.

414 Resources

• How to go about a 414
• Activities: Things to do for a 414
• Inch by Inch, Row by Row: Implementing Chapter 414
• Timeline: Detailed [Editable version in MS Word]
• Campaign Planning Guide
  

• Petition Signatures: The number of petition signatures needed to place the 414 on the ballot must equal at least 10% of the number of votes cast in the last gubernatorial election (in your chartered service area)
  
• Due Public Notice: Ensure that the Board of Elections publishes two legal notices in two different papers two weeks before the election.
  

Special District

• Special legislation is required to form a special district.
• Once formed, special districts have a budget vote and trustee election every year.
• The library becomes a taxing entity.
  

Special District Resources

• Why Create a Special District?
• Where to Start: Creating a Public Library District
• Creating Public Library Districts in NY State: A How-To Guide
• Steps for Creating a Special District Library [Libraries who have gone through the Special District process advise that you talk with your state legislator very early on to see what they require from the library.]
• Types of Libraries: A Comparison
• Timeline for Creating a Special District
• Sample Legislation
• After the Vote: A Checklist
  

Deciding to go for a public vote requires some thought and deliberation among the library director and board members. To help you decide which vote is right for your library, contact MHLS Consultants:

• Josh Cohen: 845-471-6060 ext.17/jcohen@midhudson.org
• Rebekkah Smith Aldrich: 845-471-6060 ext.39/rsmith@midhudson.org

Additional Resources

• Votes by Library Type
• Why Hold a Public Vote?
• Recent Member Library Votes
  A listing of public libraries in the Mid-Hudson Library System service area who have held public votes in 2006. For additional member library vote history information contact Josh Cohen or Rebekkah Smith Aldrich.