Board approves $1.775 million Hendrick Hudson Free Library proposition for May ballot

Francois De West, president of the Hendrick Hudson Free Library board of trustees, asked the Hendrick Hudson Central School District board on Wednesday to include a $1,775,000 library proposition on the May 19 ballot as part of the library’s 2026–27 funding plan. De West told trustees the library circulated about 130,000 items last year, served nearly 90,000 patrons and ran roughly 2,200 programs attended by about 27,000 people.

“The library remains an essential and welcoming hub for the community,” De West said, citing new partnerships, a speaker consortium and expanded program space as reasons the library needs stable funding. He said the library’s proposed budget represents roughly a 4.9% levy increase and a budget‑to‑budget increase of about 4.5%, which the library estimates will cost an average homeowner roughly $271 in one jurisdiction and $156 in another under current assessments.

Board members then moved to accept the proposition language as read by the district clerk: “Resolved, that the sum of $1,775,000 raised by tax be applied in support of the Hendrick Hudson Free Library.” A trustee moved the motion and a second was recorded; the chair called the vote and the motion passed.

Why it matters: The board’s approval sends the library’s funding request to voters and preserves a community resource the presenters said supports students and families with services ranging from homework help to museum pass lending and passport processing. The proposition will appear on the May 19, 2026 ballot and voters will have the final say.

Next steps: The proposition will be printed on the official ballot for the May 19 budget vote and library supporters and trustees will continue outreach explaining the budget impact and services funded by the levy request.