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Your Public Vote: A Jumpstart Guide to Success

About this Guide
Your Public Vote: A Jump-Start to Success is an introduction to the budget vote process for public libraries. This guide offers libraries a head start in planning for success. Some common reasons for library budget votes include:

  • Creating a stable funding source.
  • Improving the level of financial support contributed to the library by the community.
  • Restructuring the library (For example, changing from an Association Library to a Special District Library.)
  • Removing a layer of government and creating a more direct link to users.

While this guide serves as a strong introduction to the public vote process for libraries, a number of additional resources are available to assist member libraries with the particulars of their votes. These are fully described in Part 5 of this guide.

Contents

Part 1: Facing Your Fears
Part 2: Frequently Asked Questions About Library Votes
Part 3: Determine if You are Ready for a Vote
- Step 1: Are We Ready
- Step 2: We're Ready: How to Get Started
- Step 3: Ready-Set-Go: Putting the Pieces in Place
Part 4: Lesson Learned from Library Votes: Words from the Wise
 Part 5: Additional Resources to Help You with Your Vote
Part 6: Voter Matrix/Magic Quadrant

This guide was created by Kirstin Litwin and Josh Cohen of the Mid-Hudson Library System, March 2007.

This toolkit was created on behalf of the 2005-2007 Getting to Yes (GTY) project. GTY is funded by Federal Library Services and Technology Act funds, awarded to the New York State Library by the Federal Institute of Museum and Library Services.

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