Table of Contents

• Letter to the Community

• Details for the Vote

• 2026 Proposed Budget

• Referendum Q&A

• Contact

Dear Library Friend,

The Library budget request is coming up for a vote next Tuesday, June 24 2025. Please take the time to cast your vote. Voting will take place from noon to 8 p.m. at both the Livingston Manor and Roscoe branches of the newly merged Livingston Manor–Roscoe Library. You may vote at the library branch location in the voting district where you were previously assigned.

Please find the budget request information sheet, indicating the proposed changes from the current year to next year starting January 1, 2026, below. This year’s budget represents the combined budgets approved by the separate libraries prior to merging this past April. The Library Board of Trustees approved the proposed 2026 budget at its 6/11/2025 meeting. To be adopted by the full community, it must be approved by eligible voters next week.

Thank you in advance!

Trustees & Staff,
Livingston Manor–Roscoe Library

Date: Tuesday, June 24th 2025
Time: 12:00-8:00pm

Locations:
Livingston Manor Branch - 92 Main Street Livingston Manor, NY 12758
Roscoe Branch - 85 Highland Avenue Roscoe, NY 12776

Eligibility:
You must be registered to vote with the Sullivan County Board of Elections and reside within the Rockland Central School District in order to vote.

Questions:
(845) 439-5440
LivingstonManorLibrary.org/Referendum

What Does the Library Offer You?

Your tax bill supports access to over two million print books located in the 46 libraries of the Ramapo Catskill Library System and almost as many ebooks and electronic audiobooks through the free Libby app. Your support extends to the hundreds of free program sessions hosted by the Livingston Manor-Roscoe Library, including youth summer activities and reading challenges, beloved preschool storytimes, and informational sessions on topics from healthcare to history. Free tech assistance is available by appointment. Public computers, Wi-Fi, museum passes, and online resources such as ComicsPlus, Mango Languages, and VetNow are all available to users free of charge.

What is New?

Thanks to the merger, Roscoe and Livingston Manor library cardholders who enjoy reading recently published novels already have access to the “new stuff” at both library branches and on the library’s digital books app, Libby. The same holds true for museum passes that had previously been available only to Livingston Manor Library cardholders. Recently, the Manor Branch added a much sought-after service: with a notary public on our staff, we are able to offer notarizations on Tuesday mornings or by appointment. Next year we plan to offer cardholders a new streaming video app and will continue to grow our Library of Things (items other than books and movies available to borrow). The 2026 budget also anticipates cost-saving efficiencies related to programming and purchasing of books, programs, and supplies.

Why is Spending Increasing?

This is the first year the public is being asked to vote on the levy for a combined library budget for Roscoe and Livingston Manor. The 2026 proposed budget includes an investment in library personnel in the form of employer contributions to health insurance and retirement to bring our benefits in line with other libraries in our area. That is important not only because library employees deserve it, but to strategically ensure we can attract and keep skilled employees. Finally, a 2% contingency is included for unanticipated expenses that may arise with two library branches now being supported by one budget. An anticipated reduction in state aid also contributes to the increase.

What is the Library Doing to Diversify Funding?

The library gladly accepts donations both directly and via fundraisers, and our generous library patrons have responded by providing contributions worth 6% of the combined Livingston Manor and Roscoe Libraries’ 2024 budgets.

We are also working to diversify our revenue sources via grants. Grants from the Lazare and Charlotte Kaplan Fund, Ramapo Catskill Library System, NYS Arts Decentralization Funds, Sullivan County Arts and Heritage Grant, Sullivan County Legislature, and private contributions allowed us to stretch our budget to offer more specialized programming and opportunities, such as the Maker-in-Residence 2025 summer art programming for adults and teens and the Kaplan Summer Internships for high school students. Grants provided 2.4% of the combined Livingston Manor and Roscoe Libraries’ 2024 budgets.

How Does the 2026 Budget Affect You?

Although the equalization rates are not yet available this year for the library district, we anticipate an increase may approximate $5.00 for each $100,000 of assessed value per property in 2026.

The library is committed to providing excellent service to our community, now and in the future. The 2026 Proposed Budget reflects this commitment by responsibly allocating funding for library facilities, staffing, resources, and services.