Roeliff Jansen Library seeks voter support for Prop. No. 6 at the polls

COPAKE — As the staff of the Roeliff Jansen Community Library continues to prepare programs for everyone from seniors to newborns, voters in Ancram, Copake and Hillsdale are deciding whether to approve Proposition No. 6, which will increase those towns’ contributions to the vital organization.

According to detailed information provided on its website, an affirmative vote would result in a cost just over $9 a year per $100,000 in property value, which is lower than the rate of $9.50 voted on in 2013, the last time Copake and Hillsdale voters approved such contributions.

Local public funding accounts for 33% of the library’s budget with that amount being increased to 40% with proposal approval. The remainder of the budget is met by private donations and grants.

Library Director Tammy Gaskell said under state regulations library employees are not permitted to support political issues including the funding  proposal. Yet she did add that in every instance they encourage patrons to vote — no matter their perspective.

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 2, with early voting beginning on Saturday, Oct. 23. Absentee ballots are available through in-person registration at the County Board of Elections, at 401 State St., Hudson.

To learn more specifics of the proposal and its impact on taxation, go to www.roejanlibrary.org/414-faqs/ and be sure to read the thoughtful editorial on library funding on this week’s Opinion Page, Page B4.

So far this month, the library has provided community support and activities including:  The Great Give Back, in which patrons donated items and children’s handmade cards for cancer patients; one of a series of four art workshops; Pumpkin Painting as pictured on the front page of this week’s Millerton News; “Eleanor Roosevelt: Becoming Who She Was,” the first of a series of history programs on FDR, presented by Jeff Urbin, educator from the Roosevelt Presidential Museum and Library in Hyde Park; a small business seminar that including local vendor Mei’s Handmade Dumplings.

Upcoming activities include: The Art of the Novel: A Graphic Novel Workshop Series on Thursdays, Oct. 21 through Nov. 11, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Trick or Treat, Saturday, Oct. 30, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Zoom Senior Balance & Strength Class, Thursdays, from 9 to 10 a.m.

For more information, including hours and programming at the Roe Jan Library, located at 9091 Route 22, call 518-325-4101 or go to www.roejanlibrary.org.

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