To the Editor:

On May 21st voters in the Massena Central School District will be asked to vote on a referendum transitioning the current Massena Public Library from a municipal library to a school district public library. Transitioning to a school district library will stabilize the funding and distribute  the operating costs between  the four towns included in the school district (Massena, Louisville, Brasher and Norfolk). Currently the library is funded by the Town of Massena and $9000 per year by the Town of Louisville. The current funding is the same as 2001 with no consideration for inflation.  

According to the Library’s “School Ballot Referendum FAQ,” Louisville residents living in a home with an assessed value of $100,000 are currently paying $6.00 per year for the use of the library. If the referendum passes they will be paying $106 per year. Residents in portions of Brasher and Norfolk are currently not contributing to the library. For a home assessed at $100,000, Brasher residents will be taxed $81 per year; Norfolk will be taxed $100 annually.  At first glance this seems like a steep increase, but let’s put this into perspective. 

The average hardcover best seller costs $30 on Amazon. Under today’s tax of $6.00 per year, it  would take 5 Louisville households to buy one library book. Many patrons read  a book a week which has the potential of costing  $1,560/year. A Kindle Unlimited subscription is $12 a month or $144 per year; an Audible Premium subscription is $15 a month or $180 per year.  eBooks and eAudio books are FREE via the North Country Library System. The “library tax” is less than a dollar a day. Our patrons who are on a fixed income can ultimately save money if they use the library. 

Maybe you’re not a reader. Save on rental fees. There is NO cost to check out banquet tables, chairs, or pop up canopies. No need to spend money on lawn games you use once or twice a summer. The library has  Badminton, Corn Hole, Kan Jan, Ladder Toss, Horseshoes to name a few. The library offers discount admission to the Museum on Blue Mountain Lake, Wild Center, Antique Boat Museum and the Empire Pass.  

For families who are struggling financially, the library offers  free entertainment and activities for all age groups. Storytime provides socialization for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. Older kids can participate in arts & crafts, Lego Club, Reading Challenges, and Dungeons and Dragons. Adults can sign up for sewing and basket making classes, knitting groups, book clubs, Geri-Fit and chair yoga led by certified volunteer instructors. With the mall closing in the past year, the library filled the void and hosted Santa Claus. Over 200 children were able to visit with Santa and listen to a holiday story read by Santa himself.  Again all of these events are free. 

If you haven’t been to the Massena Library lately, you are missing out.  

Please vote YES on May 21st. 

Jane Mogle-Besaw
Co-President Friends of Massena Public Library