Basic Facts on the Library Budget
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We are asking community members to support an average increase of $14 per
household. This is the cost of 1 paperback book.
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Currently, each household contributes, on average, $20 per year to the library.
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All voters in Shandaken have a voice in deciding whether to approve this funding
increase on November 8, 2016
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We do not receive money from the Town of Shandaken. The library budget is not part of
the town budget. We rely on direct funding from the Shandaken community. We are
chartered by the state to serve all residents of Shandaken.
Questions about the Library Budget Increase
1. Why do you need this increase?
The demand for library services has exploded while our budget funding has remained flat.
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People are taking out 50% more books and media - Phoenicia Library’s checkouts are
higher than ever with a 50% increase in 2015 over the year before. This is the highest
circulation in our history.
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Increased Attendance - Residents have been attending programs at an ever-increasing
rate with attendance up three-fold, up 180%, over 2014. Over 4,500 children and
adults participated in library programs last year.
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More Programs Requested by the Community – Many, if not most, of our programs
are created because individuals and groups, such as parents, the schools or seniors,
request we provide a specific program. Additionally, a town-wide survey showed that,
overwhelmingly, people want more programs and services at Phoenicia Library.
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More Open Hours: In response to the town wide library survey, we increased hours.
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Using the Library in New Ways - Shandakenites are now using their library in a new
way. We are no longer just a sleepy library with books. The library has become a
community center. People use the library as a place to hold meetings, as a technology
center, for educational and cultural programs, health insurance registration, legal
information, and tutoring and literacy programs. Our function has more than doubled,
and therefore our budget has increased.
2. Why does more use mean higher cost ?
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More book checkouts has meant increased staff hours to keep up with all the work
associated with 50% more book circulation.
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Triple the amount of programs means increased expenses: We now offer, on average,
33 programs per month, where before had less than one third of the number of
programs. To respond to the popularity of the programs, we’ve had to add a part-time
program coordinator. In addition, programs require the cost of materials and equipment,
paying performers, and increased administrative time developing, overseeing and doing
outreach to the community.
Costs have greatly exceeded our budget. In order to keep up we need more funding to
continue the work we’re doing responding to the demands of the community for a strong,
active library.
3. How have you been paying for the extra expenses?
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We’ve been drawing on a very limited pool of savings and insurance money, but this
is only a temporary solution. These funds will run out within the year. To continue
services at the level residents rely on we need to increase our funding.
4. How do you know this is what community wants or needs?
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To find out what the community wants we conducted, under the guidance MidHudson Library System, a town -wide survey and focus groups in 2015.
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In 2015, we assembled 24 residents, many of whom rarely or never use the library, in
focus groups to share their ideas informally about the town, their lives, and the
library. Following this, we distributed a survey to all residents and received over 300
responses, representing a cross-section of residents.
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The overwhelming consensus was that residents love what the library is doing
and want more of it. This included people who never had the time or need visit
the library themselves.
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We learned that residents were using the library in a different ways than the
past. Phoenicia Library has become more of a community center. Both regular users
of the library, as well as people who never use the library, felt very good knowing
that this resource was available all their neighbors.
5. Wasn’t the new energy efficient Library building supposed to save money?
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Yes. The board built in cost-saving measures into the new building. Our energy costs
have been cut 85% per square foot, and we save thousands per year. However, the
new facility turned out to be much more popular than we expected and the sharp
increase in demand for services has required more funding.
6. Why can't you fundraise and get grants?
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We fundraise and successfully apply for 8-10 grants per year. These are for special
programs. However, there are no grants to cover basic library operating expenses for
running such a busy town resource.
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We do not receive federal funds and the state funds that come our way are declining
and state aid makes up less than 1% of our budget.
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The way library funding in America is structured, local communities are
expected to pay for their libraries.
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We will continue to rely heavily on grants and donations because even the increased
amount we are asking for from the community will cover only about 90 % of our
expenses
7. How much will this increase the taxes of the average household in Shandaken?
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$14 increase, cost of paperback per household per year. The total annual levy per
average household will be $34 per year.
8. What’s your current budget?
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Our current budget is $177,000. Town taxes currently makes up $94,000 of that total.
9. I don't use the library. How does this benefit me?
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A strong library is of great benefit to the community as a whole. Healthy civic
organizations such as the library attract new residents, raise property values and
support businesses by bringing customers to the area on a regular basis.
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A strong library increase collective and practical well-being. Phoenicia Library
fosters a spirit of community, teach early literacy for children, help people start
businesses, find jobs, get legal and insurance help and act as a center for our unique
local cultural offerings. The library offers a free place for clubs, civic organizations
and interest groups to meet during open hours.
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Our town-wide survey found broad support for the library among people who
never set foot in the library because it strengthens the community we live in.
10. If we don't fund this, what will happen?
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The library will be forced to cut our hours and eliminate most of the programs we’ve
added over the past two years.
11. Libraries save money for our town.
Libraries save money for the town. Each household pays a small annual contribution, and in
return, all individuals have access to thousands of dollars per year of materials, services and
free programs.
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A basic patron who takes out a book and a DVD a month, using the public computer
twice a year when their internet is down, and attends 4 free programs a year, receives
$280 worth of services.
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A retiree who has more time to read, two books on average per week, will be saving
$1,788 per year that they would have spent for those items.
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We have many young children who use the library heavily as new readers and
attending our early reader and activity programs. One 7 year old is typical of this
group and her family estimates she takes out 10 picture books a week, attends 42 free
programs a year, and views about 2 DVDs a month. Her family is saving $9,234 per
year as she gets a good start on reading early in life.
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We are happy to calculate exactly how much you save by entering in your usage in
our Library Value Calculator.
12. When was your last increase in the library budget ?
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It was five years ago in 2011 when the budget was raised to a value that didn’t
adequately cover our expenses even back then, and the situation has compounded.
13. Why does Phoenicia Library have more funding than Pine Hill Library ?
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The hamlet of Pine Hill has both a library and a vibrant community center. Phoenicia
has only a library that the community relies on to also serve as a community center.
Therefore, Phoenicia Library’s costs are markedly higher.
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Phoenicia and Pine Hill Libraries are entirely separate organizations. Phoenicia
Library is chartered by NYS to serve all of Shandaken. Pine Hill Library is chartered
to serve the Hamlet of Pine Hill. Decisions about funding for each library rest with
each library’s own board of trustees.
A Sample of Library Programs Offered in 2015-2016
All programs are free.
Most programs begin in response to community request.
Practical Help
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Legal Help Clinics
Medicare Workshops
Health Insurance Registration
Technology Help
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Computer Drop-In Help Nights
Computer Fixer Clinics
On the Fly Help from library staff
Cultural Programs
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Book Readings
Master Arts and Crafts Class for Seniors
Fly-Tying Classes
Seed Swaps
Friday Movie Nights for Adults
Fiction and Memoir Writing Workshops
Cabin Fever Concert Series
Ukulele Lesson and Jams
Angling Programs on Fishing
Children’s Programs
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Early Literacy Story Hours
Art Hours
One-on-One Reading Tutoring
Friday Movie Nights for Families
Ukulele Afterschool Workshops at Phoenicia and Bennet Elementary Schools
Annual Halloween, Valentine’s Day and Holiday Events for Children
Annual Summer Reading Program – 6 week program for learning during the summer.
Includes special weekly programs such as “Maker Club” with robotics, pottery, seed
planting ,crafts, stream walk, as well as Annual Summer Reading Contest.
Teen Programs
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Math Help
Magic Cards Tournaments
Teen Write Club
Programs Partnering with Local Schools
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Weekly Library Hour Offsite at Woodland Playhouse preschool
Arm of the Sea Circus at Phoenicia Elementary
Annual Gallery Walk with Phoenicia Elementary School
Annual Spring Art Show with Woodland Playhouse Preschool
Clubs Formed by Community Members
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Photography Club
Lego Club
Book Club
Backgammon Club
Mah Jongg Club
Community/Civic/Non-Profit Programs
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Coffee with a Cop
Phoenicia Water Board Meetings
Phoenicia Business Association Meetings
Hosting Local Non-Profit Meetings
Office Hours for Local Elected Representatives
10.13.16