Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Library Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Newburgh Free Library budget approved by board; library highlights outreach and literacy growth
Summary
The board approved the Newburgh Free Library's proposed levy and operating budget, which the library director said supports expanded literacy, outreach and community services without drawing on appropriated fund balance.
The Newburgh City School District Board of Education approved the Newburgh Free Library's 2025–26 budget submission and the library's requested tax levy at the school district meeting.
Library Director Ben Gocker presented the library's operating figures and program activity for the past year, saying circulation, program attendance and wireless and public‑computer use are all trending up. He said the library's proposed levy is $5,996,436, an increase of about 1.8% and below the allowable tax levy cap calculation the library provided.
Gocker highlighted recent and ongoing initiatives: a new Town branch (about 10,000 visitors and 14,000 circulations in its first year), expanded early‑literacy and adult‑literacy programming, an NEA Big Read grant partnership with the district, a pilot social‑work internship on site to help patrons with housing and benefit referrals, and Family Reading Day events that register families and distribute books.
“We're not drawing from our appropriated fund balance this year and we're proposing a smaller tax increase than last year,” Gocker said. He also described partnerships with the district and other community organizations that he said expanded literacy programming for children and adults.
The board approved the library motion by roll call.
