OBSERVER Photo by Braden Carmen Tyler Annis, Director of the Anderson-Lee Library, addressed the Forestville and Silver Creek school boards at recent meetings to request a library tax increase.

FORESTVILLE — A staple of the Silver Creek and Forestville communities is asking for help to make ends meet.

The Anderson-Lee Library, located at 43 Main St. in Silver Creek, is requesting a library tax increase to continue to operate and expand its offerings throughout the community. Tyler Annis, Director of the Anderson-Lee Library, visited the Forestville and Silver Creek school boards at recent meetings to discuss a proposed budget increase.

In New York State, library taxes are levied by local municipalities and/or school districts and collected on the library’s behalf. For a library to increase taxes by more than 2%, it must be approved by voters.

The Anderson-Lee Library is requesting that both Forestville and Silver Creek include the funding increase on its annual budget vote as a proposition, separate from the school budget itself.

The Anderson-Lee Library requests an increase from both Silver Creek and Forestville in proportionate amounts to the population of each community relative to the services offered by the library.

The Anderson-Lee Library is requesting $127,110 from the Silver Creek Central School District taxpayers and $42,540 from the Forestville Central School District taxpayers for a total increase of $169,650. The Library has not requested an increase of more than 2% from the Silver Creek school taxpayers since 2008.

Anderson-Lee Library Board President Mark Woolley, a Forestville resident, accompanied Annis at the Forestville Board of Education meeting. He described the history of the Library and what it represents to area residents before Annis described the programs and events it offers the community.

“It is not just a building with books and magazines. It is a very influential, educational, and cultural center for the community,” Woolley said.

Woolley spoke of how the Board approached the Silver Creek Central School District in 2008 for assistance in the process as the Library was facing financial hardship. Since then, through the money that has been raised through library taxes and grants, as well as donations, the Library has expanded its offerings to the community it serves.

Annis estimated the Library had over 12,000 visits in 2024. He also estimated approximately 1,000 public computer sessions, 1,000 questions answered, and over 200,000 items circulated in 2024. Annis stated that the Library saved the community $207,598.56 in 2024 compared to what guests would pay to receive the services the Library provided elsewhere.

“Instead of sending that money to Jeff Bezos or somebody like Walmart, you get to keep it in your pockets,” Annis said.

Annis noted a total of 168 events were held at the Anderson-Lee Library in 2024, including Knitting Club, Lego Club, Washi Tape Painting, stuffed animal design, animal visits, Native American presentations, and T-Rex Tea Time, where guests could participate in a tea party with a member of the staff in a T-Rex costume.

“If you’re not using the Library, I recommend that you do,” Annis said.

Annis is most excited about a new book locker that will be located outside of Cave’s Deli on Main Street in Forestville. Members can request a book from the library to be delivered to the locker, where a member can scan their library card to retrieve the book. Returns are also done through scanning a library card and placing the book in the locker. The locker will be available 24/7.

Additionally, the Library has already been approved for a grant to install a heating and air conditioning system and a backup generator. The Library is also home to a 3-D printer and technology assistance is also available on-site.

The Library projects a budget of approximately $161,000 this upcoming year, of which approximately $100,000 is allocated to payroll. If the library tax proposals are listed as requested on both ballots and voters approve both increases, the library tax will cover the entire projected budget, with a few thousand dollars to spare.

Neither District acted on the request at its recent meeting. Silver Creek’s Board of Education meets next on Feb. 27. Forestville meets next on March 13.