A couple of weeks ago the Friends of the Library sent a mailing to all district residents about the upcoming vote. Here's the text from the flier...
NOTICE OF PUBLIC VOTE
NOTICE OF PUBLIC VOTE
for Royalton-Hartland Central School District Residents regarding Proposition #2 - De-funding the Middleport Free Library
May 15, 2012 from Noon to 8 PM at Roy-Hart Sr. High Gym
At the May 15, 2012 Royalton-Hartland Central School District vote, residents will be presented with Proposition #2 on the ballot, to decrease the tax levy for the Middleport Free Library from $103,000 to zero.
A petition to put Proposition #2 on the May 15, 2012 school district budget vote ballot was approved by the Royalton-Hartland Board of Education at their March 22, 2012 meeting.
Proposition #2 reads as follows: Shall the Board of Education of the Royalton-Hartland Central School District be authorized to immediately reduce the annual tax levy for the Middleport Free Library aka the Royalton Hartland Community Library from one hundred three thousand dollars ($103,000) to ZERO dollars ($0.00) thereby eliminating the tax in its entirety.
A “no” vote will keep the annual tax levy in place, which will fund the library.
A “yes” vote will eliminate the annual tax levy of approximately 25 cents per thousand of assessed property value, which will de-fund the Middleport Free Library.
NO - Keeps funding for the library.
YES - Removes funding for the library.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
What would happen if the tax levy is reduced to ZERO?
If the tax levy for the library is removed, the library would be forced to operate on its reserve funding. When the reserve funding has been depleted, the Middleport Free Library would close as it would have no funds to operate.
How would it affect residents if we are not a member of the Niagara, Orleans, Genesee (NIOGA) Library System?
The Middleport Free Library provides Roy-Hart residents access to the NIOGA Library System. According to an April 5, 2012 article in the Lockport Union Sun and Journal, “The Lockport Library also receives some funding from the Towns of Pendleton and Lockport for those residents who use the library but who are not residents of the Lockport City School District.” Therefore, it could be possible that financial support from our Town governments would be required in order for Roylaton-Hartland residents to use other taxpayer-funded libraries.
Do other school district taxpayers fund their libraries?
Yes. The tax levy in Lockport is approximately $ .97 per thousand, Medina is $1.31, Lyndonville is $ .31, and Albion’s is $1.22. Royalton-Hartland’s library tax levy of approximately $ .25 per thousand is the lowest in the area.
How are library tax dollars used?
The tax pays for operating expenses including salaries, utilities, the purchase of library materials and to be a member of the NIOGA Library System.
Does the library receive tax funding from the Village of Middleport, the Towns of Royalton, Hartland or the school district now?
No. While it did previously, the library no longer receives tax funding from the Village, Towns or the Royalton-Hartland Central School District.
Information About the Middleport Free Library
The Middleport Free Library services residents of the Royalton-Hartland School District and provides them access to the NIOGA Library System.
2011 Circulation: 31,295 books, periodicals, newspapers, AV materials, etc.
2011 Computer Use: 2,100
Meeting Place Used By:
Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, Brownie Troop, Neighborhood Watch Group, AYSO Soccer Parents, LOYAL Football, Lewis-Wilmot Fund, Teen Drama Club, Book Clubs, Friends of the Library, students from Royalton-Hartland who are tutored
Library Services:
Tax Forms, Public WiFi, Local Newspapers, Computer and Internet Access, Preschool Reading Program, Youth Programs (Summer and Seasonal), Drama Club Program, Scrabble Club, Book Clubs, Copier and Fax Services, FMC Environmental Document Repository, Local Historical Material Repository, E-book Downloads, Inter-library Loan/Return for NIOGA system
