Just Between Friends          Volume 1, Issue 1 Summer, 2006

A newsletter from the Friends of the Plattekill Public Library

Welcome to Just Between Friends, a newsletter from the Friends of the Plattekill Library. As advocates for the Library, the Friends assist the library in pursuing its mission and goals as set forth by the Library’s Board of Trustees. Friends can do things that the trustees and professional library staff cannot, such as encouraging the public to get out and vote for the Library’s Trustee election and budgetary vote, which are both upcom­ing on September 18, 2006. It is only through participation of the public that our voices can be heard, and we, the Friends of the Library, need your help and support. Through a multitude of publications in many formats, through informative and fun programs for all, the library helps bring the community together and enriches our lives on many levels.

Remember, the library is here for all of us, young and old, and it can only be as good as we make it.  Let’s praise the staff and trustees for providing a terrific resource, and let’s not stop searching for ways to make it even better for all of us.  And, again, don’t forget to vote on September 18!

Jean Poirier, a new Friend of the Library

Budget Vote and Trustee Election

            On Monday, September 18, 2006, voting will take place on the library’s proposed operating budget and to fill two positions on the library’s Board of Trustees. The polls will be open between the hours of 12 Noon and 9pm at the library. A copy of the library’s budget will be on display for voters to review.  In order to be eligible to vote, you must be registered with the Ulster County Board of Elections and be a resident of the Library District. If you cannot vote in person, absentee ballots may be obtained at the library during regular business hours. All absentee ballots must be received at the library by 5 PM on September 18, 2006 in order to be considered. If you or your children have ever benefited from the services offered and programs sponsored by the library, please support their continued efforts by voting on September 18, 2006. Every vote counts.

Budgetary Update – Interview with the Library Director, John Georghiou

What are your most pressing budgetary concerns? There are several, including the loss of $14,000 from the Wallkill School District (WSD) for 2007 and the loss of Ulster County funding of $11,500 for 2007.

What does that $14,000 mean to the library? That is about what we spend on Childrens’ books every year, not including the Summer Reading Program. This library has received funds from the WSD since the early 1990s. It was at $12,000 in the mid 90s and increased to the current level of $14,000 per year in the late 90s. This is a big loss, but it’s not anyone’s fault. We are no longer eligible for that aid since you can vote directly on our budget.

If the current budget doesn’t pass, what will be cut? Our Summer Reading Program will be reduced, there will be a significant reduction of book, DVD, and audio purchases, and we will need to cut back on all other programs, library hours, and even staff.  It’s a Major loss!

What is the proposed 2007 budget? The Board members approved that the levy be increased only to equal the loss in income and current cost increases. The total budget request is for $232,000, up from $213,000 we are spending this year. In terms of your cost, it’s about one dollar more per month on an average house.

What are the greatest achievements for the past year? The major increase in youth services, which includes the increase in Readalouds to one per month, as well as our increased outreach to the elementary and middle schools to show what we are offering. We have seen a dramatic and continuing increase in usage of the library based on statistics, traffic, and the number of children signing up for the Summer Reading Program.

Donations - Consider making a tax-deductible donation to the Plattekill Public Library. You can send a check for the Friends to Plattekill Public Library at 2047 Route 32, Modena, NY  12548. Also consider donating new or gently used books, movies, or audiobooks. During regular business hours, call the staff at the Circulation Desk to let them know that you would like to leave a donation. Please note that the library does not accept condensed books, encyclopedias, magazines, or textbooks. The profits realized from the sale of all donated books are used toward funding various library programs. Clean out your bookcases, share your favorite reads with your neighbors, and help the library!

Become a Friend! - The Friends of the Plattekill Public Library is a support group of involved citizens who foster public awareness of library services and programs and assist in fundraising. Past and future fundraising efforts

by the Friends include penny socials, a 5K Walk/Run, book and yard sales. The monies raised help support the library’s Summer Reading Program and provide refreshments at all Readaloud and movie programs. To become a member of the Friends, either pick up an application located at the library’s Circulation Desk or print one online (http://plattekill.lib.ny.us/ and see link to the Friends) and mail to:  Friends of the Plattekill Public Library, 2047 Route 32, Modena, NY  12548. Help support your local library by becoming a Friend today.

Friends Meetings – The Friends meet at the Library the first Monday of each month at 7:30 PM, with the fol­lowing exception: because of Labor Day, this September, the Friends will meet on September 11^th.  Meetings are open to all. Join us to see what we are all about! The Next Meeting is AUGUST 7.