Library Funding Vote

Voting will take place in person at two locations depending on where you live: Canandaigua Elementary School Link Gym, 90 W Gibson St, Canandaigua; OR at the Cheshire Fire Hall, Rte 21 South, Cheshire. The polls are open from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM.

Absentee ballots may be requested and must be received by the School District Clerk before 5:00PM on May 20, 2025, or your vote will not be counted. The address is 143 North Pearl St, Canandaigua, NY 14424.

What is Proposition #5?

A proposition for Wood Library funding will appear on the same ballot as the Canandaigua City School District budget. It asks voters to authorize the School District to levy and collect an annual tax for Wood Library in the amount of $1,027,564 starting with the 2025-2026 tax bill.

How will it affect my taxes?

If approved, the library property tax rate will be 28 cents per thousand dollars of assessed property valuation. On a property assessed at $150,000, the total annual increase on your tax bill would be $0.83. On a property assessed for $225,000, the annual increase would be $1.24. And on a property assessed at $300,000, the annual increase would be $1.66. The proposed increase will impact your October 2025 property tax bill.

Is Wood Library funding part of the Canandaigua City School District budget?

No. State Education Law requires the school district to collect the levy on behalf of the library in October. The funds are not applied until the following January.

How will the increase in funding impact library operations and services?

Expense and revenue projections are carefully monitored by the Wood Library Board of Trustees. The proposed increase in community-based funding will ensure that we can meet the demand for more digital content, support investments in growing library collections, assure access to library services, and address state-mandated minimum-wage increases.

Does the library fundraise?

Yes. This year, 76.5 percent of the library’s operating budget is funded by a library tax assessed on properties within the Canandaigua City School District. Wood Library’s 2026 projected budget is $1,343,837. Fundraising and the amount we take from endowment income is expected to be $323,273 to fully fund operations.

How is the library levy used?

Community-based funding provides a stable source of revenue for the library’s essential services and programs. It allows the library to continue offering reliable service, meet the increasing demand for digital content, offer innovative programming, and provide fresh materials year after year.

The levy for Wood Library was first approved in 2012 by school district voters. At that time it represented 75% of the total operating budget. Today, community-based funding represents about 76% of the library’s budget.

Why does Wood Library ask for funding this way?

State Education Law allows libraries to appeal to school district voters for community-based funding and changes to the levy. An increase in the levy must be presented to school district voters for approval by proposition.

How do people use Wood Library?

Wood Library remains relevant in a digital age by offering services and programs that contribute to our community’s well-being. Digital content and resources are available to anyone with a library card. Firesticks, hotspots, fishing poles, museum passes, and games offer patrons respite and fun at home and elsewhere. Staff provide tech support at local adult living facilities and storytimes at area childcare programs. Library spaces accommodate large and small group discussion, study, experiential learning, and play.

Wood Library is coming off another solid year of service to the community offering meaningful personal service seven days a week and connections that people crave.

Last year, 26,302 people attended 1,032 library-sponsored programs. The number of active cardholders was 11,693. Digital content remained popular with 56,517 downloads of ebooks, audiobooks, movies, and TV shows. Library staff responded to 3,003 reference questions – and, our meeting rooms were used by community groups 1,102 times.

How do I vote?

Any registered voter residing in the Canandaigua City School District may cast a ballot. There are two polling locations: Canandaigua Elementary School Link Gym, 90 W Gibson St, Canandaigua; OR at the Cheshire Fire Hall, Rte 21 South, Cheshire. The polls are open from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM.

Not able to vote in person?

Vote by absentee ballot. Request a ballot using the absentee ballot application found at Wood Library or the School District office, or download it from woodlibrary.org/vote. The application must be received by the District Clerk on or before May 13 if you need the ballot mailed to you; or by May 19 if you or another person will pick it up from the District Clerk. Completed ballots must be received by the District Clerk no later than 5:00 PM on May 20.

How do I learn more?

A community presentation will take place at Wood Library on Thursday, May 15, at 6:00PM. All are welcome to attend.

Still have questions?

Contact Library Director Jenny Goodemote at 585.394.1381 ext 306 or by email.