In order for the Norwood Library to remain open, a public vote to establish the library as a taxing district will take place on November 15, 2011. If the vote is successful, a budget of $85,000 will fund the library annually and a board of trustees will be elected by the voters of the district. The service area of the district will mirror the current service area of the library.
The differences between the way the library operates now and the way it would operate as a district are:
- Currently, the library is funded through municipal appropriations from the Village of Norwood and the Town of Potsdam. This funding is appropriated to the library out of those municipal budgets, and is no longer sufficient to sustain library operations. Formation of the new district will allow the library to collect taxes directly from taxpayers, similar to the way your property and school district taxes are collected. The average cost to taxpayers is $6.00 per month.
- Currently, the board of trustees of the library is self perpetuating. Individuals express their interest in volunteering their time as a trustee and the current board appoints them when openings occur. If the district is created, trustees will run for office. The initial slate of trustees will be voted on at the time of the vote on November 15th.
If the district vote fails, the library will close permanently. The financial situation has become dire enough to require drastic action if the vote is unsuccessful. Please support the library with your vote on November 15th. For questions or concerns, please contact the library or their NCLS Consultant, Emily Owen at (315) 782-5540 or by e-mail.
