Fact Sheet

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The Palmyra Community Library has announced that residents in the library district will vote on a
proposed 4% increase to the library’s yearly tax funding to $365,213.  If the vote passes, this would
mean a $3.60 tax increase per $100,000 in assessed property value.

The public referendum will take place on Tuesday, October 14, 2025 from Noon to 9:00 PM at the
Palmyra Community Library, 402 East Main Street, Palmyra, NY.

The current library tax levy of $351,100 was approved by voters in 2024, and for the past few years
annual increases in the library’s operating costs have been absorbed through careful planning and
budgeting.  To balance the 2026 budget, which maintains the same level of service to the
community, the Library Trustees have agreed to make use of the library’s reserve funds, but this
situation cannot be sustained on an ongoing basis.

If the proposed funding is approved, benefits to the community include:
*Maintaining current days and hours of service
*Accommodating continually changing community needs
*Purchasing new books and materials to meet local demand
*Keeping pace with the rapid expansion of information technology
*Securing current levels of computer/internet access, programming, meeting room availability,
tutoring space,   etc.

If the referendum is not approved, the Palmyra Community Library will need to make
difficult decisions in regard to programs, services, materials, such as:
*Reductions in the purchase of new materials, such as: books, e-books, movies, etc.
*Cuts to programming, as necessary
*Reductions in hours of service, if necessary

Residents of the Palmyra Community Library District who are qualified to vote at a general election
are eligible to vote.  The Library district encompasses the town of Palmyra, excluding the portion of
the town that lies within the Newark central school district.

Absentee ballots will be available.  Please contact Sheila Koeberle, Library Director, to obtain an
absentee ballot. Absentee ballots will be available beginning Monday, September 15 and are due
back at the library by Tuesday, October 14 before 5pm.

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Frequently Asked Questions

 

What is the library asking the community to decide in the 2025 vote?

The library Board of Trustees is asking the residents of the Palmyra Community Library District to consider an increase of $14,113 [4.02%] to the annual library tax funding. 

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What will it cost Palmyra Community Library District residents if the vote passes?

If the vote passes, this would mean a $3.60 tax increase per $100,000 in assessed property value.

 

Why is the library asking for this increase?

The current tax levy of $351,100 was approved by voters in 2024, and for the past few years annual increases in the library’s operating expenses have been absorbed through careful planning and budgeting.  The 2026 budget maintains the same level of service to the community while complying with mandated minimum wage increases, but this situation cannot be sustained on an ongoing basis.

 

How is the library funded?

The tax levy is 83% of the library’s funding. The remaining 17 % of funding [about $65,000] comes from copier fees, room rental fees, investment income, donations, NYS aid, and grants. 

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Will additional library tax requests be made in the future?

It is likely that budget increases will be requested in the future to accommodate wage increases and other costs as they continue to rise.  Voters in the library district would have to approve any future increases.

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What will happen if the proposition is approved?

If the proposed funding is approved, benefits to the community would include:

• Maintaining current days and hours of service

• Accommodating continually changing community needs

• Purchasing new books and materials to meet local demand

• Keeping pace with the rapid expansion of information technology

• Securing current levels of computer/internet access, programming, meeting room availability, tutoring space, etc.

 

What will happen if the proposition is not approved?
If the proposition is not approved, the Palmyra Community Library will need to make difficult
decisions in regard to programs, services, materials, for example:
• Reductions in the purchase of new materials such as books, e-books, movies, etc.
• Cuts to programming, as necessary
• Reductions in hours of service, if necessary
 
When is the vote?
The vote will take place on Tuesday, October 14, 2025 from Noon to 9:00 PM at the Palmyra
Community Library--402 East Main Street, Palmyra, NY

Who is eligible to vote?
Residents of the Palmyra Community Library District who are qualified to vote at a general election
are eligible to vote.  The Library district encompasses the town of Palmyra, excluding the portion of
the town that lies within the Newark central school district.

How is the library governed?
The Board of Trustees make the decisions for the library.  They decide on the hours of operation,
how the library spends the funding it receives, and other governing activities.  The Board of
Trustees consists of 7 trustees who are elected by the library district residents.  Trustees do not
receive compensation; they volunteer their time.

Who can become a trustee?
Any library district resident who is qualified to vote at a general election, and has resided in the
library district at least one year prior to the election is eligible to become a trustee.   There is no
Trustee position opened this year.

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