CICERO — On Oct. 13, NOPL taxpayers will have the opportunity to vote on the 2022 library budget. Residents of Brewerton, Cicero and North Syracuse consistently show support for their libraries, and the trustees, administration and staff would like to take this opportunity to say thank you. A small tax increase will make it possible for us to maintain the quality library services and programs you have come to expect.
How can I vote?
Due to COVID-19, in-person voting will be in the barn at the Cicero Library for all the libraries from noon until 7 p.m. on Wednesday Oct. 13. This will allow for social distancing. Each library will have its own table. A large map will be on display to help you determine which NOPL library is your voting location. You can also find a PDF of the map at nopl.org/budgetvote. Please note that you must be registered with the Onondaga County Board of Elections.
Or, you can download and print an absentee ballot on our website at nopl.org/budgetvote pick one up at the front desk of the three branches, or we can mail one to you. Completed ballots can be returned to the library by mail, through the book-drop, or in- person. All mail/absentee ballots must be received by Oct. 13 by 7 p,m. to be counted. If you would like a ballot included when you pick up items, let the library know when you call to schedule your pick up appointment. If you need one mailed to you, please call 315-699-2534.
What is the tax request for 2022?
$2,619,203
Is this a tax increase?
Yes, it is an increase of 1% which is within New York State’s property tax cap. For homeowners with a house valued at $100,000, their library tax will equal $64.99 or $45.50 based on STAR exemption.
Why is an increase needed?
In 2021, we spent time and resources to make sure our spaces are safe for our staff and patrons. In 2022, we will continue to make our facilities safer by improving the indoor air quality and comfort. We will be increasing our digital content and online resources, and improve outreach services. We have also increased our physical collection budget.
Return on investment: What does NOPL offer?
Last year 291,724 books, magazines, DVDs, music CDs, digital materials and audiobooks were checked out or downloaded. 4,778 people attended 2,133 library programs. We provide access to homework help, test preparation, general research and language databases. Librarians worked one-on-one with 1,018 patrons around technology and workforce development. A total of 51,349 people visited NOPL in 2020.
Our mobile Pop-Up Library and Homebound Book Delivery make books available in more locations and during hours when the libraries are closed. To learn more about these two services visit our website at nopl.org/homebound-delivery/ and nopl.org/about-us/pop-up-library/.
Our libraries offer high speed Internet, wireless Internet access and printing. There are computers available for use within the library or take home a hotspot kit with a Chromebook, and the Brewerton Library’s Preservation Studio provides digitization technology to convert VHS tapes to DVD and save photos, negatives and slides as digital copies.
NOPL’s Summer Reading Program helps students maintain reading skills and enriches their lives and their vocabularies. In 2020, 216 kids, teens and parents attended 57 programs, and 220 children & teens read 91,272 books.
We offer experiences and learning opportunities for adults. Among the possibilities…get help with a resume or job application, get help with a mobile device, attend a lecture, take a yoga class, listen to a concert, join a book club or a knitting group, or grow vegetables and learn from other gardeners through our LibraryFarm project.
Northern Onondaga Public Library will no longer charge fines for materials returned late for all NOPL patrons.
