Library committee approves budget draft, social-work pilot and E-Rate equipment resolutions

Newburgh — The Newburgh City School District library committee reviewed operations and budget items March 25, endorsing a social-work practicum partnership with Adelphi University, approving a package of technology and service resolutions that will apply for E-Rate discounts, and advancing a draft budget that proposes a 1.78% tax-levy increase, officials said.

The committee convened with Leticia Politti, who identified herself at the start of the meeting; committee members then heard the director’s report from the library director. "This last fiscal year, we saw the opening and continued operation of the town branch, on South Plank Road. It's been consistently visited, busy," the library director said, citing the branch's book drop and use as a pick-up and drop-off location.

The director told the committee the library has established a practicum relationship with Adelphi University’s Master of Social Work program that places graduate students at the library to meet privately with patrons and connect them to housing and social services. "I'm considering this sort of a pilot program," the library director said, adding that current social-work coverage is generally about three days a week and that the library would consider adding a permanent social-worker position if the pilot proves useful to patrons and staff.

Committee members were also briefed on potential federal funding changes affecting libraries. The director said reductions at the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) could ripple through the state library and the Division of Library Development (DLD) in Albany, which administers construction grants and other statewide support. The director said that loss of federal funding could force shifts in how shared resources and administrative overhead are funded and could reduce access to some databases and reference materials in jurisdictions that rely more heavily on federal grant funding.

The committee reviewed the library’s annual report for fiscal year 2024; the director said Section 12 of the report requires an assurance that the library operates in accordance with Education Law and the regulations of the commissioner. The committee agreed to forward the annual report to the full board for final approval.

On budget matters, the director said the allowable tax-cap levy limit was about 3.8% and that the committee intends to present a proposed increase of 1.78 percent — a change of approximately $104,936 over last year’s budget — while maintaining current staffing levels and services.

The committee also reviewed proposed resolutions to purchase network equipment from vendor CMS and for dedicated fiber internet service from Spectrum. The director said most items are replacements for end-of-life equipment, with some additions such as an increased number of wireless access points (20) to improve coverage in staff and basement areas. The resolutions were described as maximum-amount authorizations that will be reduced by E-Rate discounts; the director said the expected E-Rate discount for eligible services is about 85 percent.

Committee member Ray Bergrelli moved to approve items 1.1 through 1.6 as presented; a second was not recorded in the transcript. The chair called for a voice vote; members answered "aye," and the committee approved the package. The director said the resolutions will proceed with E-Rate applications and that the annual report will go to the next full board meeting for final acceptance.

The committee also reviewed a proposed holiday calendar and noted a staff development day planned for Aug. 15, when the library would close for internal training and guest speakers.

Why it matters: The committee’s actions advance a budget that modestly increases the local levy while preserving services, formalize a social-work practicum that could expand direct assistance to patrons, and authorize technology upgrades whose cost to the library will be reduced by federal E-Rate discounts. Potential reductions in IMLS funding, the director warned, could diminish state-level support for construction grants and shared resources, with uneven effects across jurisdictions.