Town of Bedford Libraries’ Ballot Proposition

Seeking Stable Funding for Our Libraries

Introduction

The three public libraries in the Town of Bedford – Bedford Free Library, Bedford Hills Free Library and Katonah Village Library – are vital and popular community institutions that serve as active centers for education and connection. In 2024 alone, the libraries welcomed over 160,000 visitors and program attendees; lent out over 215,000 books and other materials; and offered a wide range of services, including community programs, classes, events and extensive digital resources for all ages.

But due to ongoing funding shortages that reach back more than fifteen years, our community’s libraries face increasing challenges in paying for the rising costs of daily operations, infrastructure, technology and programming. That’s why the libraries have come together to place a funding proposal on the November 4th ballot.

The libraries are asking residents to vote on annual, guaranteed, stable funding from the Town of Bedford so they can maintain and expand their services and facilities to better meet the needs of our community.

A History of Unstable Funding

From 2008 to 2013, local government contributions to the Bedford libraries were either declining or stagnant.  Compounding the problem in more recent years have been higher inflation and tax caps imposed on municipalities in New York, which have reduced the amount of resources the Town has available to fund the libraries.  Recent national efforts to dismantle the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the primary federal agency supporting libraries and museums across the United States, further threaten future revenues.

These historical problems have resulted in a funding gap. To meet their operating costs, the libraries have been forced to minimize staff, limit opening hours, rely on gifts and donations for day-to-day operations (a volatile and risky revenue source) and draw on reserve funds that should be used for emergencies and capital investments.

Proposal for Stable Funding

Currently, the three libraries receive a combined total of $1,788,845 in annual operating funds from the Town of Bedford’s operating budget and no funding for capital purposes.  This amount covers 73.5% of the libraries’ operating expenses -- significantly lower than the 94% average that all other municipalities in Westchester County provide to their libraries. 

The libraries’ 2026 combined budget proposes $2,628,845 in local funding which will eliminate the funding gap; support the first year of strategic initiatives already developed with community feedback; and avoid cuts in library staff, operating hours, materials and programs.

The new budget would raise the Town’s coverage of the libraries’ operating expenses from 73.5% to 88% -- still lower than the 94% Westchester library average. If voters approve the ballot measure, this new funding stream will replace the town’s current budget allocation and be guaranteed in future years.

Financial and Service Impacts

The proposed 2026 budget will increase residential property tax rates by $1.39 per $1,000 of assessed value – an increase of $97 per year for the median residential property* (The median residential assessed value in the Town of Bedford is approximately $70,000 which is equivalent to a market value of $862,100).

Increased funding will result in improved library services:

Guaranteed stable funding will give the libraries the capacity to begin addressing critical infrastructure needs and reduce the heavy reliance on donations for day-to-day operations where appropriate.

 

Libraries in Collaboration

This is the first time that the three Town of Bedford libraries have joined together to ask their neighbors directly for an increase in funding for their operations. Given the history of unstable funding, this vote is a necessary step to ensure that our community can continue to benefit from all that our libraries offer in the coming years.

 *Assessed value, market value & tax data were obtained from the Town Assessor’s Office and based on the 2024 Assessment Roll