Schoharie Library Seeking Funding Increase

SCHOHARIE - Schoharie library officials are seeking a funding increase from residents in May to add programs and possibly another part-time employee.

Officials told Schoharie school board members Thursday that they are seeking a $15,000 increase, to $141,000, on the SCS ballot in May. The library tax levy hike is on the school ballot when residents vote on the district budget in May. The district collects the library tax levy in their September bills and passes it along to the library. If the tax levy hike is approved, the library would be receiving $141,000. If the hike fails, the library funding will remain at $126,000. The funding increase is normally at $10,000.

The tax hike would translate to about $2 per household for the year, library director and librarian Yvonne Keller told board members last week.

The property tax revenue is one of the biggest sources of revenue for the library. The library also receives outside grants.

The increase in the property tax would be used to help with the upkeep of the building and "programs for all ages," Ms. Teller-Baker said.

"We hope to be an extension of the school community."

The experiences at the library "are ever growing," she added.

With extra funding, the library hopes to hire another part-time person.

She noted that community meetings are held at the library including the monthly EPTSO meeting.

Last year, officials noted that after the flood, there was no increase in the library tax levy for 10 years and funding needs to catch up.