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Library requests $2.94 million levy, board asks to eliminate 50¢ interlibrary hold fee
Summary
At an Oct. 22 Irondequoit budget workshop, the library requested a $2,937,000 levy for 2026, citing mostly fixed contractual increases. The library board proposed removing a 50¢ hold fee (expected revenue loss ~$8,300) to match peer libraries; volunteers and a bookstore remain key revenue sources.
The Irondequoit library presented its 2026 budget request of $2,937,000 at the town board’s Oct. 22 budget workshop, saying most of the year‑over‑year increase reflects fixed contractual costs rather than new programs.
"We are requesting $2,937,000 and change from the tax levy for the 2026 library budget," Greg said, adding that the figure represents a $140,000 reduction from an earlier request and a net increase of about $144,000 over 2025. He said 94.6% of the increase (roughly $136,000) is attributable to contractual obligations — collective bargaining, health care and other benefits, maintenance, utilities and insurance — while roughly $7,700 (about 5.4%) would fund library objectives.
Rachel Snyder, president of the library board, thanked staff and committee members for their work preparing the request and said the board tried to hold or reduce expenses where possible while maintaining program standards.
A key policy change the library asked the board to consider: eliminating a 50‑cent fee charged when a user requests an item shipped from another library in the county. "By eliminating hold fees, we will see an $8,300‑and‑change decrease in revenue," Greg said, but he described the proposal as a customer‑service decision intended to keep the town’s library competitive with nearby branches that do not charge holds.
Board members and library staff also highlighted other revenue drivers: the library bookstore generates roughly $45,000 annually through volunteer efforts overseen by assistant director Nora Pelis, and the library is exploring nontraditional revenue opportunities — including preliminary discussions about an in‑library café franchise and reductions in credit‑card processing fees.
The library provided a detailed narrative and comparative table showing that, even after the proposed fee elimination, its revenue performance remains strong compared with peer suburban libraries in Monroe County. There was no formal action at the workshop; the presentation moved into the town’s broader budget review process.
