I would like to start out by saying that I am aware of the importance of the public library. It can be the center of a community. As a taxpayer with multiple properties, I resent that the only people paying for the privilege of supporting the Gloversville library are the property owners of the Gloversville school district.
The library has 11,000 visitors per month (March statistics) who borrow 10,000 items, ranging from books, DVDs and magazines. There is also an average of 1,000 computer users each month.
One might think that those who use the library regularly would be happy to support the library. However, it would seem that the library administration and board would rather ask the citizens who have invested in the community to share the burden of supporting the library.
Just recently (January), the library increased its access to services to people who live outside the taxing district. My question is why are they not sharing in the cost of running the library? I resent the library's concern over losing people who do not financially contribute to the running of the library while, on the other hand, asking the taxpayers for more money.
It has also come to my attention that substitute teachers or tutors instruct students at the library. These instructors make $55 an hour or more while the library receives nothing for the use of its facility.
The days of the free library are over.
I would ask the library administration and board to consider a couple of facts.
Gloversville is one of the poorest, overtaxed communities in New York state. We have a high population of retirees who live on a fixed income.
Every city tax, school tax, county tax, sales tax, library tax and telephone tax, just to name a few, take money out of our citizens' pockets, lowering the standard of living for the people who live in this community. It is time that everyone pays his or her own way. There is no free ride.
ART SIMONDS
Gloversville