Every now and then, I will hear something especially profound and call it a “zinger.” You may call it a “light-bulb moment” or maybe “something leaves you speechless.”
I received a real “zinger” this week while visiting the elementary school in Weedsport. Every spring assistant director Diane Grant and I visit the elementary classes for “Book Breaks.” A “Book Break” is just that - the children pause during their busy day of learning to simply sit and enjoy some stories.
It is also an opportunity to promote our library. I always give the students the chance to ask questions about the library. After we had covered the usual questions, a student asked if you have to pay for a library card. I explained that library cards are free, and the only time you have to pay money for borrowing things is when you return them late.
Now for the “zinger:” one very astute young man raised his hand and said, “Well, if everyone brings their things back on time, where do you get the money to run the library?” I hadn't expected to talk about library funding strategies to third graders!
I share this true story with you in preparation for all of us as we go to the polls on May 20, for the annual school budget vote. My funding explanation will remain rather general due to the fact that there are nine public libraries in Cayuga County with nine different budgets and funding plans.
The majority of public libraries today are on the school budget ballot as part of its funding plan. New York State Education Law provides public libraries in New York state (including Association Libraries) with the ability to place a funding proposition on a school district ballot. This process often requires that the library board simply pass a resolution notifying the school board that it wants to place a funding proposition on the ballot for the upcoming election. The library proposition will show up as a separate measure on the school ballot.
The New York Library Association Web site (www.nyla.org) contains some facts about New York's libraries. The following caught my attention:
“Free public libraries are a unique American benefit of democracy. In fact, libraries and the exchange of information in them help preserve that democracy. While libraries don't charge directly for their operations, they do receive support from taxes. We tax ourselves to provide every resident equal access to information that will improve our lives, protect our freedoms, entertain us and enrich us, and help keep us employed, safe and healthy.
“Library services are too valuable to provide only to people who may be able to afford user fees. Library services must be free and available to everyone.”
Should you have a library proposition in front of you May 20, I encourage you to vote “yes.”
Information about the library proposition on the Weedsport ballot is available at the library, by calling me at 834-6222 or e-mailing weedlib@twcny.rr.com.
Cheryl Austin is a librarian in Weedsport.
It is also an opportunity to promote our library. I always give the students the chance to ask questions about the library. After we had covered the usual questions, a student asked if you have to pay for a library card. I explained that library cards are free, and the only time you have to pay money for borrowing things is when you return them late.
Now for the “zinger:” one very astute young man raised his hand and said, “Well, if everyone brings their things back on time, where do you get the money to run the library?” I hadn't expected to talk about library funding strategies to third graders!
I share this true story with you in preparation for all of us as we go to the polls on May 20, for the annual school budget vote. My funding explanation will remain rather general due to the fact that there are nine public libraries in Cayuga County with nine different budgets and funding plans.
The majority of public libraries today are on the school budget ballot as part of its funding plan. New York State Education Law provides public libraries in New York state (including Association Libraries) with the ability to place a funding proposition on a school district ballot. This process often requires that the library board simply pass a resolution notifying the school board that it wants to place a funding proposition on the ballot for the upcoming election. The library proposition will show up as a separate measure on the school ballot.
The New York Library Association Web site (www.nyla.org) contains some facts about New York's libraries. The following caught my attention:
“Free public libraries are a unique American benefit of democracy. In fact, libraries and the exchange of information in them help preserve that democracy. While libraries don't charge directly for their operations, they do receive support from taxes. We tax ourselves to provide every resident equal access to information that will improve our lives, protect our freedoms, entertain us and enrich us, and help keep us employed, safe and healthy.
“Library services are too valuable to provide only to people who may be able to afford user fees. Library services must be free and available to everyone.”
Should you have a library proposition in front of you May 20, I encourage you to vote “yes.”
Information about the library proposition on the Weedsport ballot is available at the library, by calling me at 834-6222 or e-mailing weedlib@twcny.rr.com.
Cheryl Austin is a librarian in Weedsport.
The Citizens' Say
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