Legislation recently signed into law will allow people to donate to libraries via their state tax returns, according to Sen. Patty Ritchie, R-Heuvelton, who sponsored the bill.

The measure is seen as a way to boost funding and help local libraries meet increasing demands for their services without raising taxes. Each year, tens of thousands of taxpayers use similar write-offs to make about $2 million in donations to various causes, from wildlife protection to cancer research, according to a news release from Ritchie’s office.

“Across our state, countless people rely on their libraries for books, community events, job searching resources and so much more,” Ritchie said in a prepared statement. “Through this new law, we are giving patrons an easy way to give back to their libraries and provide them with the boost they need to strengthen the important services they provide.”

She represents the 48th Senate District. It covers most of northern and western St. Lawrence County, including Ogdensburg, Canton and Gouverneur.