Town of Union Vale 2020

Update: August 2020

After eight months without a contract for library services, the Mid-Hudson Library System (MHLS) will be instituting systemwide restrictions on library usage by residents of the Town of Union Vale at the request of the Beekman and Millbrook Libraries, starting on Tuesday, September 1st, 2020.

Union Vale cardholders will be restricted from borrowing the following items systemwide:

  • non-print items (i.e. DVDs, CDs, Video Games, Audiobooks),
  • special collections (i.e. museum passes and kits), and
  • downloadable content currently available through OverDrive Advantage Accounts: popular fiction and nonfiction titles in ebook and eaudiobook formats paid for with local funds.

 

 

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions:

What items will I be able to borrow from my library?

Union Vale residents can borrow print materials like books and magazines from any library in the Mid-Hudson Library System. Union Vale residents will also be able to place and receive holds on print items in the MHLS catalog from their local library and MHLS member libraries.

Will I be able to borrow restricted items from other libraries?

No, these restrictions apply to Union Vale library cardholders at all libraries in the Mid-Hudson Library System.

Can Union Vale residents attend programs at their neighborhood library?
Access to library programs is decided on at the local level, residents of Union Vale will need to check with neighborhood libraries to determine their access to this service.

Will Union Vale cardholders be able to access a library’s locally funded online services such as Hoopla, Kanopy and Creativebug?

Access to locally funded eResources is decided on at the local level, residents of Union Vale will need to check with neighborhood libraries to determine their access to this service.

Will I be able to borrow eBooks using the SORA OverDrive app?
You will continue to be able to access eBooks and eAudiobooks provided by your school district, but eBooks and eAudiobooks purchased with local library funds will not be available in the SORA app.

How long will these restrictions be in place?

These restrictions will remain in place until an agreement is reached between the Town of Union Vale and the libraries of Beekman, Dover, LaGrange and Millbrook.

Why implement restrictions now if no contract has been in place since January?

The eight month grace period has been in effect at the request of the neighboring libraries, Beekman, Dover, LaGrange and Millbrook, first to extend the time to negotiate a contract with the town, which did not work out, and then to help families impacted by the early stages of the COVID-19-related stay at home orders.

Why is a contract necessary?
The Town of Union Vale does not have its own library but thanks to New York State Education Law, residents still have the right to access library services at other libraries in the Mid-Hudson Library System. However, given that this means other town’s taxpayers are subsidizing Union Vale residents use of their libraries, that same law allows for restrictions to library usage by those residents to be put in place when two conditions are met: (1) a town is not providing “equitable funding” to help subsidize library services and (2) 5% or more of an impacted library’s circulation of library materials is attributed to the residents of a town without their own library. This is the situation we find ourselves in. This is similar to what happened five years ago, when these two conditions were also fact: restrictions for Union Vale residents were put into place, limiting access to library services.

How did the restrictions get lifted in 2015?
Through a negotiation with the impacted libraries, MHLS and the Town of Union Vale a contract was created that provided a good faith effort by the Town of Union Vale to start paying an amount that was closer to their fair share. This resulted in the restrictions being lifted and therefore residents of the Town of Union Vale had unrestricted access to their area libraries again.

How is “equitable funding” defined?

“Equitable funding” is defined as the average per capita funding for all libraries in the county. This definition can be found in the state approved Free Direct Access Plan of the Mid-Hudson Library System, as required by regulation.

What is the equitable funding level in Dutchess County?
In Dutchess County, the average per capita funding is $50.26. This would translate to an amount of $245,118 given the population for the Town of Union Vale as stated in the 2010 Census (4,877).

How much did the Town of Union Vale provide for library services in the 2019 contract?

The 2019 contract provided a contribution of $76,407. This is approximately 30% of the amount required by regulation, however the neighboring libraries impacted by this issue endorsed this amount in a good faith effort to ensure Union Vale residents have open access to library services. The proposed 2020 contract extended services using this number as its base and sought an increase in line with the New York State Tax Cap.

While $50.26 may be the county average, how much do the residents of the impacted towns actually pay?

Current amount per capita by Town*:

  • Beekman: $32.02 ($405,000 in town funding divided by 12,650 residents)
  • Dover: $31.61 ($275,000 in town funding divided by 8,699 residents)
  • LaGrange: $39.60 ($622,900 in town funding divided by 15,730 residents)
  • Millbrook: $38.81 ($184,000 in town funding divided by 4,741 residents)
  • Union Vale: $15.67 ($76,407 divided by 4,877 residents

 

*All funding numbers are from the NY State 2018 Annual Report. Population numbers are from the 2010 census. The Beekman Library population number is adjusted to remove the population of Green Haven Correctional Facility (14, 621 minus 1,971 equals 12,650).

Is there anything I can do to lift these restrictions?

If you would like to encourage your elected officials on the Union Vale Town Board to fund library service for town residents and restore full access to library materials, you can find their contact information at http://www.unionvaleny.us/town-board.html

Contract Update: December 2019

As we approach December 31, 2019, the end of the current contract for library services for residents of the Town of Union Vale, we want to ensure that you have up-to-date information about the status of a new contract for such library services.

We have provided the Union Vale Town Board with a revised draft of the proposed contract, for its consideration, to reflect the changes that Mid-Hudson Library System (MHLS) has agreed to over the past several months:

  • An adjustment to the increase for 2020 down to 2%, for a reduced total of $77,935, to come into alignment with the New York State Property Tax Cap, while retaining the agreement of no increase for 2021; and
  • An amendment to make clear that if the New York State Board of Regents grants a provisional charter for a library in the Town of Union Vale, then the Agreement may be terminated.
  • The amount requested is far below what other towns in the region are providing to underwrite library services for their residents. As we have previously shared, the amount for this contract is 50% less than what residents in the neighboring towns contribute and just one-third of the average amount in Dutchess County. The requested amount is $1,528 more than what the Town of Union Vale is currently paying.

Residents of the Town of Union Vale clearly understand the value of lifelong learning and want open access to information and literature. The request that the Town of Union Vale contribute support for neighboring libraries is driven by the fact that residents of your town make such good use of their neighboring libraries. The proposed contract is an attempt to create some equity, so that residents of other towns are not paying the full cost of library services used by residents of Union Vale.

Below please find an updated set of frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the proposed contract. As always, we welcome your questions. It is our mission to ensure the best possible library services for all residents in our region, including the Town of Union Vale.

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. Why is there a contract in place?

A. The Town of Union Vale does not have its own library but thanks to New York State Education Law, residents still have the right to access library services at other libraries in the Mid-Hudson Library System. However, given that this means other town’s taxpayers are subsidizing Union Vale residents use of their libraries, that same law allows for restrictions to library usage by those residents to be put in place when two conditions are met: (1) a town is not providing “equitable funding” to help subsidize library services and (2) 5% or more of an impacted library’s circulation of library materials is attributed to the residents of a town without their own library. Four years ago, when these two conditions were fact, restrictions for Union Vale residents were put into place, limiting access to library services. Through a negotiation with MHLS and the town of Union Vale a contract was created that provided a good faith effort by the town of Union Vale to start paying an amount that was closer to their fair share. This resulted in the restrictions being lifted and therefore residents of the Town of Union Vale have had unrestricted access to their area libraries since 2015.

Q. Is this contract with four libraries or with the Mid-Hudson Library System?

A. This contract is with the Mid-Hudson Library System.

Q. How much of the contract amount does the Mid-Hudson Library System keep for itself?

A. None. All funds are passed on to the most impacted libraries in this situation.

Q. How is “equitable funding” defined?

A. “Equitable funding” is defined as the average per capita funding for all libraries in the county. This definition can be found in the state approved Free Direct Access Plan of the Mid-Hudson Library System, as required by regulation.

Q. What is the equitable funding level in Dutchess County?

A. In Dutchess County, the average per capita funding is $50.26. This would translate to an amount of $245,118 given the population for the Town of Union Vale as stated in the 2010 Census (4,877). The current contract is for $76,407.

Q. How much does the Town of Union Vale provide for library services under the current contract?

A. The current contract calls for a contribution of $76,407. This is approximately 30% of the amount required by regulation, however the neighboring libraries impacted by this issue endorsed this amount in a good faith effort to ensure Union Vale residents have open access to library services.

Q. While $50.26 may be the county average, how much do the residents of the impacted towns actually pay?

A. Current amount per capita by Town*:

  • Beekman: $32.02 ($405,000 in town funding divided by 12,650 residents)
  • Dover: $31.61 ($275,000 in town funding divided by 8,699 residents)
  • LaGrange: $39.60 ($622,900 in town funding divided by 15,730 residents)
  • Millbrook: $38.81 ($184,000 in town funding divided by 4,741 residents)
  • Union Vale: $15.67 ($76,407 divided by 4,877 residents)

*All funding numbers are from the NY State 2018 Annual Report. Population numbers are from the 2010 census. The Beekman Library population number is adjusted to remove the population of Green Haven Correctional Facility (14, 621 minus 1,971 equals 12,650).

Q. How much does the proposed contract for 2020 request?

A. Out of respect for the town’s financial position and in acknowledgement of the NYS Property Tax Cap the proposed contract provided by MHLS to the town board asks for a 2% increase for 2020 and proposes no increase in 2021. This follows the funding pattern of these contracts since 2015.

Q. Why did MHLS decide that the proposed contract amount was the final offer?

A. In talks with the leadership of the neighboring libraries most impacted by this situation it was agreed that the amount in the existing contract is more than fair and going lower than this amount is unfair to the taxpayers of the neighboring towns who do adequately fund their libraries that the residents of Union Vale benefit from.

Q. What will happen if the town does not sign the contract at the proposed amount?

A. The Beekman and Millbrook libraries have requested that systemwide restrictions be put into place if no contract is in place by January 1, 2020. This request has been endorsed by the Directors Association of the Mid-Hudson Library System and on December 7th the Board of the Mid-Hudson Library System has voted to respect their request and directed the Executive Director of the Mid-Hudson Library System to move forward with implementing restrictions should no contract be in place in January.

Q. Has MHLS been willing to speak with the town board?

A. Yes. MHLS Executive Director, Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, attended the September 19th town board meeting and has let the town board know she will make herself available at future board meetings should they want to discuss this matter further.

 

Restrictions are a last resort and not something the library community takes lightly. Should no contract be in place in January we will contact you to update you on the specifics of the restrictions.

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