New Hartford Public Library Rechartering Vote
By: Rachel Polansky
Updated: August 15, 2012
Some say public libraries serve as community treasure chests. The New Hartford Public Library says they've been forced to reduce hours, close their doors two days a week and cut essential services. They are asking the community to support them in a rechartering vote next Thursday. Eyewitness News reporter Rachel Polansky visited the library and spoke with advocates and opponents of the proposal. She joins us live in the newsroom, Rachel, what's the latest?
Library board members say switching from a municipal library to the school district will benefit the library and the entire community, but there will be a slight increase in taxes. I spoke with area residents and while some are willing to pay, others are not as thrilled with this proposal.
"The taxes are going to increase, and the overall taxes will increase," says Arthur Christopher, New Hartford resident.
Christopher is a New Hartford resident and he is not happy with the proposal.
"And once it starts to increase it's just going to keep going up like all other taxes," says Christopher.
He says although city taxes may go down - it's just not that simple.
"Now there giving half a million dollars to the library, doesn't count toward all the other money that they've raised for the town, so it's just one of these things that's just going to get out of control," says Christopher.
Others disagree.
"It's the community supporting the community," says Douglas Preston, New Hartford resident.
Residents already pay an average of 12 cents per day. The rechartering will add an additional 11 cents per day. Some say its a necessary evil to better the library.
"The public has asked for longer hours, to restore the collections of books and movies and DVDs, so that's essentially where its going," says Mary Duross, Library Board Trustee.
Now the library board says there will be an increase in taxes, but if the rechartering doesn't go through, the library will not remain the same and some community members might not be happy with these changes.
"We will at least close 1 additional day per week, we may have to close 2, or we may have to do only open in the morning or only open in the afternoon, there will be many less books ordered," says Duross.
Rather than the current $450,000 paid by residents in town taxes - the library will be funded from nearly $900,000 paid by school district residents. Some community members say the increase is well worth it.
"certainly looks huge but schoolkids, the seniors, the folks looking for jobs - it's important to advance what has already been accomplished," says Preston.
Now an open information session will take place this coming Monday night at 7pm at the New Hartford Public Library. And the rechartering vote will take place the following Thursday, August 23rd, from 8 in the morning until 8 at night at the New Hartford Public Library. All New Hartford school district voters are encouraged to attend.
Library board members say switching from a municipal library to the school district will benefit the library and the entire community, but there will be a slight increase in taxes. I spoke with area residents and while some are willing to pay, others are not as thrilled with this proposal.
"The taxes are going to increase, and the overall taxes will increase," says Arthur Christopher, New Hartford resident.
Christopher is a New Hartford resident and he is not happy with the proposal.
"And once it starts to increase it's just going to keep going up like all other taxes," says Christopher.
He says although city taxes may go down - it's just not that simple.
"Now there giving half a million dollars to the library, doesn't count toward all the other money that they've raised for the town, so it's just one of these things that's just going to get out of control," says Christopher.
Others disagree.
"It's the community supporting the community," says Douglas Preston, New Hartford resident.
Residents already pay an average of 12 cents per day. The rechartering will add an additional 11 cents per day. Some say its a necessary evil to better the library.
"The public has asked for longer hours, to restore the collections of books and movies and DVDs, so that's essentially where its going," says Mary Duross, Library Board Trustee.
Now the library board says there will be an increase in taxes, but if the rechartering doesn't go through, the library will not remain the same and some community members might not be happy with these changes.
"We will at least close 1 additional day per week, we may have to close 2, or we may have to do only open in the morning or only open in the afternoon, there will be many less books ordered," says Duross.
Rather than the current $450,000 paid by residents in town taxes - the library will be funded from nearly $900,000 paid by school district residents. Some community members say the increase is well worth it.
"certainly looks huge but schoolkids, the seniors, the folks looking for jobs - it's important to advance what has already been accomplished," says Preston.
Now an open information session will take place this coming Monday night at 7pm at the New Hartford Public Library. And the rechartering vote will take place the following Thursday, August 23rd, from 8 in the morning until 8 at night at the New Hartford Public Library. All New Hartford school district voters are encouraged to attend.
