First of all, the Board of Trustees and the staff of the Troy Public Library would like to sincerely thank our many supporters during this past year’s library district campaign.  On November 4, residents were asked to vote on creating a special public library district in the City of Troy.  People voted overwhelmingly to create the district (6,688 – Yes to 4,135 – No) but unfortunately, the budget proposition for the new district was defeated (4,941 – Yes to 5,684 – No).  Since both propositions had to pass to establish the district, we do not yet have a Special Public Library District in Troy.  The vote did, however, clearly demonstrate that the people of this community want public library service and that a majority agree that the district model is the way to go.

What happens now? For now, the library will need to reduce service levels in order to stay within our budget in 2009.  An annual appropriation from the City of Troy remains our primary source of funding.  We requested an appropriation of $600,000 from both the mayor and from City Council earlier this year so that the library could operate at the same level of service in 2009 that it did in 2008.

In spite of our best efforts, however, the level of funding the library is scheduled to receive in 2009 is $450,000, an amount that has remained the same since 2003.  Since that time, our expenses have increased by nearly 30%. We cannot spend funds we do not have.

I have prepared a budget for 2009 which reflects our current funding situation.  That budget calls for the following measures:

. Close both the Lansingburgh and Sycaway Branches.
. Reduce the library staff by four and one half full time equivalent positions.
. Reduce our book and materials budget by 30%.
. Reduce children’s and adult programming by 60%.
. Maintain current operating hours at the Main Library.

The staff and Board of Trustees spent many hours reviewing our options for 2009, but the library has little choice and must make the difficult decisions which will allow the library to live within its means.  These measures are scheduled to take effect February 2, 2009.

These decisions are especially hard at this point in time.  The Troy Public Library is busier than ever, and our librarians are working harder than ever to provide information, education and entertainment that might otherwise be out of reach for many in our community.  It has been demonstrated over and over again that people depend more on public libraries during an economic downturn for books, magazines, CDs, videos and other library materials.

We are aware that many young people who are within walking distance of our two branches will have difficulty getting to the Main Library.  We are also aware that many folks who do not have home computers depend on the library for access to information from library computers.

During 2009, we hope to once again start the process of creating a Special District Public Library for Troy.  We will have to start over to secure legislation from the state legislature to create the district and then once again go before the voters for final approval of the district.  The hope is to be able to accomplish this before the end of next year so that we can re-open both branches and return to the level of operation that the residents of Troy need and deserve.

The Board of Trustees is planning to hold two public meetings in January concerning the library budget and its impact on service.  There will be one held at the Lansingburgh Branch on Wednesday evening beginning at 6:30 pm on January 14, and one held at the Main Library on Thursday evening beginning at 6:30 pm on January 15.

What can you do?  If you believe as we do that public library service is essential to the health and strength of your community, help us by doing the following:

. Contact your City Council person or the mayor and explain that the Troy Public Library needs a reasonable budget to carry out its mission of service to the community and that library service is important to you.
. Join the Friends of the Library and become active.
. Tell your friends and neighbors that the library needs their help.
. Come to the public meetings scheduled for January 14 and 15.
. Vote yes to establish a public library district in Troy in 2009.