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 21, 2024, or your vote will not be counted. The address is 143 North Pearl St, Canandaigua, NY 14424.
What is Proposition #3?
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 $1,007,564 starting with the 2024-2025 tax bill.
How will it affect my taxes?
If approved, the library property tax rate will be 30 cents per thousand dollars of assessed property valuation. On a property assessed at $150,000, the total increase on your tax bill would be $4.50. The proposed increase will impact your October 2024 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 then passed on to the library.
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. Only 72 percent of the library’s operating budget is currently funded by a library tax assessed on properties within the Canandaigua City School District. Wood Library’s 2025 projected budget is $1,354,700, with 74% of the projected budget supported by community-based funding. Fundraising and the amount we take from endowment income is expected to be $347,136 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. In 2024, community-based funding represents about 72% 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.
Do people use the library?
Yes, across the board, library use is up! We have seen a significant increase in demand for digital content and public meeting room space.
Last year, 24,421 people attended 1,201 library programs. The number of active cardholders rose 13 percent to 12,213. Digital content was wildly popular with downloads of ebooks, audiobooks, movies, and TV shows up 31 percent from the previous year. Library staff responded to 2,465 reference questions – and, our meeting rooms were used by community groups 474 times.
Wood Library remains relevant by offering services and programs that contribute to our community’s well-being. We offer meaningful personal service seven days a week and connections that people crave.
People engage with Wood Library in new ways all the time. Digital content and resources are available to anyone with a library card. Housebound persons can get books delivered by mail. Firesticks, hotspots, fishing poles, museum passes, and outdoor games offer patrons respite and fun at home and elsewhere. Staff provide tech support and other library services at area nursing homes and other sites in Canandaigua. Library spaces accommodate large and small group discussion, study, experiential learning, and play.
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 here. 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 20 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 21.
How do I learn more?
A community presentation will take place at Wood Library on Wednesday, 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.
