Proposition #4 will appear on the Canandaigua City School District ballot on May 16, 2023.
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 16, 2023, or your vote will not be counted. The address is 143 North Pearl St, Canandaigua, NY 14424.
What is Proposition #4?
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 $920,150 starting with the 2023-2024 tax bill. This is an increase of $75,900 over the base amount that was approved by voters in 2022. The library levy was first authorized by Canandaigua City School district voters in May 2012.
How will it affect my taxes?
If approved, the levy will add $2.74 to the total tax bill on a property assessed at $150,000, and increase the library property tax rate by 1.8 cents per thousand dollars of assessed property valuation. The proposed increase will impact your October 2023 property tax bill.
How will the increase in funding impact library operations and services?
The Wood Library Board of Trustees carefully monitors library expenses and revenue. The proposed increase in community-based funding will help us meet state-mandated minimum-wage increases and cost of living adjustments, address needed technology upgrades, and ensure that everyone can continue to access library services.
Does the library fundraise?
Yes. Donations and fundraising support more than one-third of the library’s operating budget. The library’s projected 2024 budget is $1,278,000. Fundraising and the amount tapped from endowment income will have to increase to $357,850 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. When the levy for Wood Library was first approved in 2012, it represented 75% of the total operating budget. Today, community-based funding supports 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.
How do people use Wood Library?
Wood Library remains relevant in a digital age by offering resources and programs that contribute to our community’s well-being. 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 community sites such as Gleaners Kitchen in Canandaigua. Library spaces accommodate large and small group discussion, study, experiential learning, and play.
In 2022, we reintroduced Sunday hours, making the library available to the community seven days a week. New study spaces were constructed from the old elevator shaft thanks to a NYS grant and donations from individuals. Read with Pride Book Kits were added to the collection and we offered a family-style community read. New events included library mini golf, a haunted library, and repair café.
The library was visited 83,929 times last year (an increase of 30% from 2021). 10,804 people used their library card to check out 209,859 items (an increase of 33%). Digital checkouts totaled 57,825. The library hosted 1,805 programs (an increase of 97%) attended by 25,182 people (up 2%). Staff supported 1,906 reference requests. Public internet computers were used 8,654 times (up 14%) and wireless sessions totaled 7,241 (up 64%). 262 new digital library cards were issued (an increase of 17%). 488 persons received tax aide assistance through a partnership with AARP.
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 before May 8 if you need the ballot mailed to you; or by May 15 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 16.
How do I learn more?
A community presentation will take place at Wood Library on Monday, May 8, 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.
