414 Vote for Library Funding

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Library Funding vote?

Libraries in New York State can use Chapter 414 of the NYS Education Law to appeal to voters for tax funding for their library. The Board of Trustees of the Olive Free Library calls this a ‘414 vote’. For 2024, the Board is asking voters to increase its tax contribution by $25,000, from $168,142 to $193,142.

How is the library currently funded?

The library is funded in part by tax dollars from residents of the Town of Olive. The library is also very fortunate to have the Olive Free Library Endowment, otherwise know as ‘the Trust’. Disbursements of income from the Trust cover about 1/4th of the annual budget. Funding also comes from the diligent work of staff applying for grant opportunities available to libraries, from donations made to our annual appeal, and from fundraising activities hosted by the OFL Friends Group. The responsibility of fiscal stewardship falls directly on the Board of Trustees. It is a fine balance keeping an adequate revenue stream to support library programs, staffing, and building maintenance.

When and where will the vote take place?

The question of whether the annual contribution from the Town of Olive should be increased for the library’s 2025 budget will be on the ballot in the General Election in November. All registered voters can vote on the proposition by selecting either ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to the question on the back of the ballot.

• You can vote early at one of the early voting locations in the county from October 26 - November 3rd, 2024.

• You can vote by mail by requesting a ballot.

• Or, you can vote on Election Day, November 5, 2024, at your usual polling place.

How much will this cost tax payers?

The total increase in cost for each homeowner will vary according to the assessment. Based upon current rates, the requested increase of $25,000 to the library’s funding will result in the following:

Assessment of:
$100,000 = increase of $1.61 per year, per household
$200,000 = $3.22 increase
$300,000 = $4.83 increase
$400,000 = $6.44 increase
$500,000 = $8.05 increase

How will the money be spent?

There are three areas where the money will be deployed if awarded:

1. benefits for staff

2. internet connectivity

3. a new, physical location in Shokan

After a year of researching health insurance assistance for staff, the Board learned that programs like HRA’s were either too expensive for our small organization, or didn’t offer current staff much assistance for various reasons. The Board, instead, agreed to a healthcare stipend now available to employees on a quarterly basis. We are committed to offering competitive compensation to our hard working and dedicated staff.

The library moved closer to offering much better internet service by installing a fiber optic network which could provide faster, safer, and more reliable service that reaches all corners of the building and the immediate parking area. The next step is to upgrade to fiber internet service through a program offered by the FCC for schools and libraries. If we can secure financial support from the FCC and from our 414 vote, we will ‘turn off’ the current copper connected internet service and ‘turn on’ the new fiber service.

Over the years, we’ve received feedback from patrons that our current location in West Shokan is far to travel to for many people in the town. The Board has discussed different ways to tackle this problem like operating a book mobile and offering ride sharing programs. Now, we have the opportunity to use a section of the Legion Hall in Shokan to offer library services like book borrowing and returning and internet access. It will take some coordination and planning to get this right, but we’re determined to try it!

How do other towns fund their libraries?

All libraries in the Mid-Hudson Library System (MHLS) are supported by some public funds. There are Municipal and Special District libraries that are fully supported by tax dollars. Many community libraries in MHLS, like the Olive Free Library, are Association libraries and are supported by earmarked taxes approved by voters under Chapter 414 of the NYS Education law.

What will happens if this library vote fails?

If taxpayers do not support the vote to increase funding, the library will have to adjust its goals regarding a satellite site in Shokan and upgrading to fiber internet service. We may also have to look at cutting costs in other parts of the budget in order to cover increased expenses related to employee benefits.

Thank you for taking the time to understand how the library is funded and supported!

All costs associated with this webpage have been paid for by the Friends of the Olive Free Library.