Blog Archives

Governor Cuomo is currently crafting his executive budget for the coming fiscal year which means that now is the right time for library advocates to speak up for library aid! Take 3 minutes out of your day to send a message to the Governor through the New York Library Association’s Online Advocacy Center.

A message from Jeremy Johannesen, Executive Director of the New York Library Association (NYLA):
We have not gotten any assurances that library funding is secure. In 2014, the last legislative election year, Governor Cuomo cut $4M in library aid as a negotiating tactic with the legislature. Now, with an upcoming election year, library aid is again subject to these same negotiating tactics. The $5M in extra funding we worked so hard to get during this year’s budget is uncertain at best. This is unacceptable.

Voters of the mid-Hudson Valley said “Yes!” at the polls for public library funding in 2015.

Thirty-one communities voted on tax levies for their public libraries in the MHLS region and 100% of those libraries won at the polls!

Highlights:

• In March the Highland Public Library passed a $4.85 million building referendum which authorizes the library to buy property and build a brand new library for the people of Highland.
• On election day we saw a record number of association libraries (13) use the municipal ballot option, also known as a “414” vote to ask voters to increase taxes for the library. For four of those libraries, Claverack, Dover Plains, Germantown and Millbrook it was their first time back at the polls in over a decade! Two others, Olive and Rhinebeck had not been to the polls in five or more years.

For the full list of recent member library vote outcomes please visit the MHLS Public Library Vote Toolbox

State Librarian and Assistant Commissioner for Libraries Bernard A. Margolis has announced the release of the 2015 edition of the Handbook for Library Trustees of New York State. The new handbook is now available:

• online through the New York State Library
• in print through MHLS: order form

Highlights of the new edition:

• New chapter on Board Development
• Overhaul of chapters on Technology and Public Relations & Advocacy
• Explanation of the need for an independent treasurer for public libraries (municipal, school district public libraries and special district public libraries)
• Clarification about committee meetings and NYS Open Meetings Law
• Information about the NYS Property Tax Cap
• Clarification of audits and necessary internal financial controls, including information about OSC audits of public libraries
• Promotion of competitive salaries and benefits for library personnel and the importance of investing in continuing education for both staff and trustees
• Emphasis on the importance of thinking sustainably about the library’s future; specific information about sustainable library facilities
• Links to recorded webinars for Trustees available through the New York State Library’s web site embedded throughout.
• New items in the Appendix:
  • Working Together: Roles & Responsibilities Guidelines
  • Civil Service 101 for Trustees
  • Updated list of essential policies
  • Updated Public Library Glossary