To the Editor:

For as long as I can remember, the Guilderland Public Library has been — as Library Director Tim Wiles was quoted saying — a “third space.” (The Altamont Enterprise, May 4, 2017). As a third space, the library is not just a place that is quiet and studious for students, it is also a place for kids’ craft projects, family movie nights, and discussion meetings.

I’ve used the library for numerous reasons such as for study-group meetings, checking out books and movies, volunteering, participating in library programs, tutoring, studying, researching, and meeting friends. Considering the library provides so much to the community, and given the budget vote will be in a week, you all should go out and vote in support of the local library.

On May 16, at each elementary school in the district, Guilderland residents will vote on this year’s library budget. The board of trustees have approved an operating budget of $4,038,583 for 2017-18, which is based off the tax-levy of $3,689,217. The focus of this year’s budget is to upgrade the systems in the library like replacing major parts of the heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning system, and starting a long-range plan for the interior design.

If you reference the budget numbers on the website at http://www.guilpl.org/budget/, the amount of money being put into certain expenses from the budget of 2016-17 to 2017-18 has increased. Salaries and benefits goes up by $68,044, equipment goes up by $12,500, professional services have gone up by $43,500, properties (capital involvements and refunds on tax involvement) has gone up by $349,607. A lot of money is being allocated into the longevity of the library’s infrastructure and distribution to expert help.

Looking at the numbers can be somewhat overwhelming, but it is important to bear in mind what the library gives back to the community and how the library must take care of its maintenance in turn to continue its services to everyone.

The budget is reasonable seeing as our library is innovative and is a space many people use — 225,000 annual visitors in fact. The services the library provides are unlike most libraries in the state.

Melissa Hale-Spencer, editor in chief of The Altamont Enterprise, wrote about the Guilderland Public Library being the first library in the state to sell E-Z Passes. This is convenient to those who drive the Thruway and have to pay for tolls. Visitors to the library will pay a $25 package to register online or via phone for the On-The-Go tag. The tag then becomes active in 24 hours instead of waiting seven to 10 days to receive it in the mail.

Our library is the first in the state; that is very impressive. To think now libraries could offer in the future other convenient services or perhaps products for residents would require more funding.

The Guilderland Public Library also hosts movie nights, summer children book clubs, self-defense classes led by the Guilderland Police Department, free concerts, and an end-of-the-summer fun day for children. Our community is successful and better because of the Guilderland Public Library; therefore given the 2017-18 budget plan’s focus is on improving the building for library visitors, it is important to go and vote for the plan this upcoming Tuesday.

Support the library, because in the long run it benefits everyone in some way.

Myrna Kierstyn Gonzalez

Guilderland

Editor’s note: Myrna Kierstyn Gonzalez did an Enterprise podcast as president of the robotics club at Guilderland High School. She wrote this letter as a member of Christopher Mazura’s College Writing class.