Geenseo’s Wadsworth Library Proposes Nearly $30K Budget Increase

GENESEO — The Wadsworth Library has scheduled a public hearing for the upcoming Trustee election and budget vote.

According to a press release from Wadsworth Library, there will be a public hearing April 25 in regard to the Wadsworth Library Boach requesting a budget increase of $29,967, making the property tax levy for the 2017-2018 budget year a total of $404,406.

“Based on the taxable property of the district, a budget of $404,406 amounts to 63¢ per $1,000 of assessed property value, or a total annual tax of $136 for a house assessed at $200,000,” said the Library’s new Director, Debby Emerson.

On May 2, the public can go to the library and cast a vote for or against this budget.

“The proposed increase of $29,967, if approved by voters, will be applied to increased operating expenses, maintaining library collections and services, computer access, library programs, and access to collections and services via our web site,” said Emerson.

The Library’s release listed 2016 statistics of library usage:

59,572 visits were made to the library
4,141 people have Wadsworth Library cards
85,599 items were borrowed
3,433 reference questions were answered
4,899 people attended 293 library programs
Public computers were used 8,070 times

In addition to budget proposals, two incumbent Library Trustees, Michael DaBramo and Gretchen Zenner, are running unopposed for reelection.

If elected, their new 3-year terms would begin July 1, 2017 and end on June 30, 2020.

Zenner recently completed her first term on the Wadsworth Library Board of Trustees, currently serving as Vice President. She is a dual graduate from the University of Rochester with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and a Masters of Business Administration. Zenner is also a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, the Association for the Preservation of Geneseo, the Genesee Valley Conservancy, the Allyn’s Creek Garden Club, and the Landmark Society of Rochester.

DaBramo has also served one term as a Trustee of Wadsworth Library. He has been a resident of Geneseo for 35 years and is grateful that his family has been able to take advantage of the resources the library provides. As a trustee, he has been involved with important library decisions, like the installation of a new elevator from the ground to the first floor. Additionally, he has years of experience in information technology.

In 2016, nearly 60,000 people visited the library, over 85,000 items were borrowed, nearly 5,000 people attended 293 library programs, and public computers were used over 8,000 times.

The hearing will take place Apr. 25 at 7 p.m. at Wadsworth Library on Center Street. One week after the hearing, on May 2, Wadsworth Library will invite registered voters and residents of the Geneseo Central School District to visit the library location on Center Street to cast a vote between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m.