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April 16, 2010
by Shobha Vanchiswar and Sandra Flank

In May, New Castle residents will vote on the library budget for next year.  Given the present economy, the Chappaqua Library board is very aware of the community’s position and has thus kept their budget request low.  However, attendance and the membership at the library are both increasing.

The Library staff continues to receive more requests than ever for books, DVDs, audio books, reference material and so forth. The inevitable conflict between providing service and keeping expenditures low presents itself.

Traditionally, the Friends of the Library has served as a buffer in times like this. The taxpayers of the school district must approve the library budget every year, and the Library is prohibited from engaging in any additional fundraising.  As a non-governmental, volunteer organization, the Friends raises funds on behalf of the library and can provide extra monies where needed.

These funds are raised primarily through membership in the Friends, which is $30 per year, donations, and an occasional fundraising event and through the renowned annual book sale, June 7 to 13.  This past year, membership in the Friends has significantly decreased and funding requests from the library have increased, partially because the Library board has been fiscally responsible and, of course, the needs of the patrons still have to be met.

So if your child goes to any of the children’s programs, if you participate in the adult programs, if you enjoy many of the DVDs or audio books, if you’re using the computers or the reference materials, please consider becoming a member of the Friends. One hundred percent of your contribution goes to serve the library.  The Friends have worked hard to raise funds and have been pleased to come through during this time of fiscal restraint, but we’re concerned about next year.  We really don’t want to contemplate fewer programs, shorter hours, Sunday closings and other cost saving measures that other Westchester libraries have been forced to institute.

We need your help so we can maintain the excellent services we’ve come to expect from our beloved library.

For information on how to join the Friends of the Chappaqua Library, go to chappaqualibrary.org, and in the “Resources” box, click on “Friends of the Library.” You can download a membership form there.

Shobha Vanchiswar is president of the Friends of the Chappaqua Library and Sandra Flank is a member of the board of the Friends of the Chappaqua Library.

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