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Greene County Library Association asks legislature for $43,566 to support countywide services and digital access
Summary
The Greene County Library Association presented a $43,566 funding request to the legislature to support services for unserved areas, digital resources, mobile outreach, New York Heritage archiving and other countywide initiatives.
Catherine Benson, director of the Kuruksucke (Catskill) Library, and other library directors urged the Greene County Legislature to support a $43,566 funding request to sustain and expand countywide library services.
Benson described libraries as "essential community anchors" that provide free access to technology, early literacy, job resources and local history archiving. Presenters noted that parts of Greene County fall outside chartered library districts and rely on the eight member libraries and one branch for services. The funding request is intended to offset costs of serving residents in unserved zones and to support countywide programs.
Christopher, director of the Casco Public Library branch, discussed digital and technical needs, citing demand for computer access, printing, notary services and cybersecurity. He said many patrons use library digital resources without visiting physical buildings and that mobile outreach and expanded e‑resources are crucial for remote residents.
Benson described planned uses of county support including mobile library visits to seniors, a countywide library map and brochure, a passport and stamp program to mark the 250th U.S. anniversary, expanded participation in the Greene County Youth Fair and contributions to New York Heritage (nyheritage.org) to preserve local archival materials. The association also requested funding for a BookPage subscription to support readers advisory and collection development across member libraries.
Presenters confirmed that most library services are free to patrons and that the association seeks modest county funding to sustain operations, digital subscriptions, outreach and preservation work. Benson said the association contracts annually with a CPA for tax prep and maintains transparency with county partners.
No vote on the funding request was recorded in the meeting transcript excerpt provided to the committee; presenters asked the legislature to consider the request and offered to return with further details as needed.
