Editorial: Library deserves support

PHOTOGRAPHER: File Photo

Clifton Park-Halfmoon Public Library.

A random Thursday in September two days after a primary and two months before a general election is a pretty odd time to hold a special election.

But that shouldn’t dissuade voters living in Clifton Park and Halfmoon from taking a few minutes Thursday to support their local library.

Residents in the two communities’ library district will vote Thursday on a $4.41 million budget for the Clifton Park-Halfmoon Public Library on Moe Road.

Even in these days of the internet and wi-fi and mobile access to information, the public library remains essential to the community, and it needs the public’s support.

Credit library officials for keeping the budget affordable. Spending is up slightly less than 3 percent over the previous year, but taxes will only go up 1.28 percent in Clifton Park and 2.34 percent in Halfmoon.

For a home in the library district valued at $250,000, the increase will cost that homeowner an extra $2.28 for the entire year, or about 19 cents a month.

For that, community members will continue to get to take advantage of all the library has to offer: books, DVDs and e-books for borrowing, nearly 1,300 programs, computer access, and assistance in everything from seeking a job to technology training to scholarly research.

The 40,000 people who walked through the library door in 2016 borrowed more than 800,000 items, and more than 28,000 people participated in library programs. In addition, the public rooms at the library are used heavily by community groups and individuals for meetings and programs.

There’s no excuse for not voting. Polls are open for 14 hours Thursday, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., and voting is held in one location: the library.

Before you vote take time to walk around the library, look at all the people who are using it. It’s one of the most valuable and effective uses of your taxpayer dollar anywhere.

Please make sure you take the time Thursday to support the library by voting yes on the 2018 budget.