To the Editor:

Last Thursday evening, the Guilderland Public Library sponsored the second in its “Civics 101” series with a program on local assessments. Our town assessor, Karen VanWagenen, generously contributed two hours of her personal time, explaining the effects of the town-wide revaluation project on property tax assessments.

She answered residents’ many questions with competence, patience, and grace and everyone acquired some useful information about their new assessments. Even I, an experienced assessment review hearing officer and moderator of the program, learned some new information.

Whether it is receiving expertise to assure that our property tax assessments are fair and equitable or borrowing books, which offset the cost of their purchase, the Guilderland Public Library provides a tangible and valuable service.

I was surprised to discover that, in just the last three months, I have saved more money borrowing audiobooks through the library system than what I paid in library taxes last year.

On Tuesday, May 21, there will be a vote on the library renewal project. Please join me in voting “yes” for this project. For many Guilderland homeowners, its cost is estimated to be less than one dollar per week. Its improvements will assure that the library will be able to meet our need for a useful and valued “gathering place.”

There couldn't be a better bargain.

Tony Cantore

Guilderland