Fulton Public Library Proposition Included on School Budget

(THE VALLEY NEWS - FULTON, NY) The Fulton Public Library is seeking a financial boost from residents of the Fulton City School District. During Tuesday’s meeting of the Fulton Board of Education, library board of trustees President Marian Stanton presented board members with petitions signed by more than 100 district residents requesting that a proposal to fund the library with an additional $50,000 be included on the school ballot in May. Only 25 signatures were required for the proposal to be included. The library is currently receiving $40,000 every year from district property owners. If approved, the proposition will allow the school district to receive $90,000 from residents annually in support of the library. By state law, public libraries can place an additional proposition on a school ballot referendum. The library proposition is separate from the school budget and the district acts only as a collection agency. “We collect the money and pass it on to the library,” explained Superintendent of Schools Bill Lynch. “This will be a separate voting proposition on the ballot.” Mrs. Stanton said that the library may have to eliminate hours and staff members because the city reduced its funding for the library by $30,000, or 15 percent, this year. “Our circulation in 2003 was 51,636 items, but by 2007, it climbed to 88,517—an increase of more than 71 percent,” Mrs. Stanton noted. “Our computers were used by children and adults 27,544 times and the number of audio books and videos loaned has increased similarly.” The computers at the library, complete with free Internet access, are being used by an average of 88 patrons per days. “I think that this is a very significant offering to the City of Fulton residents,” she said. Those computers will soon be upgraded as the library was recently notified that it will be receiving a matching grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. “We have computers that are specifically designed for students so they can do homework,” Mrs. Stanton added. She noted that 8,148 area residents have been issued library cards, which is more than double the number five years ago. She pointed out that the city has a population of less than 12,000 residents. “That’s basically two-thirds,” she said. “We’re hoping that they will support us.” The library has been receiving $40,000 annually from district residents since 2003. The last time the library asked residents for an increase, an additional $10,000 in 2004, it was voted down. Funding from Oswego County has also declined since 2003 when the library received $11,000. Funding was completely eliminated in 2004 and partly restored in 2006. The library is expecting to receive $5,344 this year. “The trend in use of all our services is up and we want to be able to satisfy our patrons’ need,” said Mrs. Stanton. “We are faced with rising costs in fuel, insurance, books, shipping, and other costs, but we know residents want our commitment to furnish excellent library services. We want to be able to maintain staff, hours, and services.” If the additional $50,000 is approved, an owner of a $65,000 home would pay an additional $4.94, Mrs. Stanton noted. The proposition will be on the school ballot May 20.