With the New Rochelle schools facing a serious financial crunch, the proposed school budget and school board candidates are likely to get most of the attention in the run-up to the city-wide budget vote scheduled for May 20.  But the budget for the New Rochelle Public Library (NRPL) will also be on the ballot that day.  While the library budget is smaller and less controversial than the school budget, there is a risk that it will be swept up in the concern  over the substantial proposed tax increase for the schools. So clarity about the library’s proposed budget is essential.

At its March 17 meeting, the NRPL Board of Trustees passed a budget of $7,227,667 for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, an increase of $343,661, which translates into an annual tax increase for the average homeowner of $19.44, or about $.05 per day.  Fully  91% of the increase will pay for required increases in salaries and benefits. The remainder will be used primarily for materials and programs. (The Library Board’s budget presentation and discussion can be viewed here, starting at 11:07, and the budget document can be viewed here.) 

Although the proposed increase for each family is small, it exceeds New York State’s 2% tax cap, so the budget will need approval by 60% of the voters to pass.  In addition to the budget, voters will be asked to vote on candidates for the Library Board.  Corey Galloway, Vice President of the Board, will be running for re-election as his current five-year term expires this year.

The NRPL is the busiest library in Westchester County. 750,000 people visited the library last year, checking out 285,000 books, tapes, videos and magazines. More than 26,000 teens, children and families participated in library programs. And they do all this with the second lowest number of staff per resident in the county. NRPL also spends the second-lowest amount on library materials in the county, at just $5.18 per resident per year.

Rhiannon Navin, Secretary of the Library Board, shared some details about the services the NRPL provided in the past year:

● 4,300 teens took part in library programs, discovering new passions and building life skills;

● 26,000 children and families engaged in 973 programs, sparking curiosity and creativity for young minds;

● 10,308 children and teens participated in a Summer Reading Program, helping them stay engaged and learning during the summer months;

● 55,402 adults joined a wide range of 4,676 live and virtual programs, enriching their lives with new ideas, skills, and connections;

● 9,506 children attended early literacy programs, setting them on the path to reading success;

● 4,973 adults joined adult literacy programs, improving their skills and opening doors to new opportunities;

● 324 English language programs served 3,966 attendees, helping non-native speakers build confidence and fluency;

● 497 one-on-one digital literacy tutoring sessions and 66 group sessions helped adults bridge the technology gap;

● 125,689 reference questions were answered by staff, and 28,212 computer sessions provided access to technology for those who need it most;

● And more than 20 local partners – from schools and summer camps to nonprofits and universities – teamed up with the NRPL to create even more opportunities for learning and growth.

Navin noted that turnout for school and library budget elections is often low and stressed the need for a strong turnout this year.  Call (914) 576-4219  for polling places. Applications for absentee ballots are available online in English and Spanish and must be received by the District Clerk seven days before the May 20 election by mail, or the day before in person.  Completed absentee ballot applications should be forwarded to: Clerk and Secretary to the Board of Education, City School District of New Rochelle, 515 North Avenue, New Rochelle, NY 10801-3416.