Important Events and Programs

The 2020 Library Budget and Trustee Vote - Questions and Answers

When will the library vote be held?

In this incredibly unusual time, the library vote will be coordinated with the Saratoga Springs City School District, and be held entirely by absentee ballot. The library’s budget proposition and Trustee candidates will appear as additional items on the same ballot with the school’s budget propositions and school board candidates. Ballots will automatically be mailed to eligible voters in the Saratoga Springs City School District, and must be returned to the School District by 5PM on June 9.

Who can vote?

Any school district resident who is a registered voter is eligible to vote.

What are we voting for?

Budget: The public will be voting on a proposition to collect $5,205,672 in school district property taxes in Fiscal Year 2020-2021 to operate the Saratoga Springs Public Library. This is the same amount approved for FY2019-2020, with no increase.
Trustees: Heather Crocker and Terry Diggory, both of Saratoga Springs, are running for election to the library’s board of trustees. There are vacancies created by the expiration of Steve Sheinkin’s term, by an expansion of the board.

What happens if the budget doesn’t pass?

Although a vote is not legally required for a zero-growth budget, the library’s Board and Administration want to be certain that citizens have the opportunity to weigh in on the budget proposal. Unlike public school budgets, the law does not allow for any changes if the budget is defeated, and unless the library board decides to hold a second budget vote (highly unlikely), the library would still receive the same amount appropriated in FY 2019-2020. Should the proposed budget not pass, the library board will reconsider how the funds are allocated.

What will be happening in the coming year?

With more than 700,000 physical items borrowed in 2019, an 11% increase in borrowing of digital materials, and an 10% increase in program attendance over 2018, library use continues to be very high. During our COVID-19 closure, use of library digital materials has soared, and staff have been busy presenting programs virtually, via Zoom and our social media channels, and answering questions by phone, e-mail, and chat. The proposed budget will allow us to continue to meet the high demand for library services, which we anticipate will grow during our recovery, and to expand and improve access to vital technology and information resources during this critical time. Additionally, we will restart a long-range planning process, gathering input from the community, that was paused because of the pandemic.

Please see the original press release for the specifics of the budgetary information.

Press Release: 2020 Library Budget Vote - Q&A
More questions? Contact A. Issac Pulver, Library Director, at 518-584-7860.
Photo by Parker Johnson

Online Programming for Children and Teens

Location: Online

Our Youth Services staff has been hard at work creating content for your children and teens. The vast majority of this programming can be found on our Facebook News Feed, FB Events Page, and YouTube Channel. Look for storytimes, sing-alongs, crafts, book talks, activities and much more!

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