Thank you!

On behalf of Macedon Public Library and all libraries in New York State, I want to thank everyone who took the time to let our representatives know that funding the library systems is important.

The new state spending plan includes $91.6 million—which is a $5 million increase in aid over the Governor’s proposal— to help support libraries in their efforts to provide books, technology, educational resources, entertainment and more to people across the state.

In addition, the new State Budget also includes $14 million in library construction aid, which will allow libraries across the state to make upgrades to their facilities.

This increase in funding is extremely important to rural libraries who depend upon the funding that is funneled through their library system headquarters to support critical programming efforts, training, technology updates and construction projects.

Library advocates across the state pelted their representatives with email, letters and phone calls to send a clear message that libraries are an investment in education. Hundreds of advocates traveled to Albany on March 2 to detail personal stories of the impact libraries have had on their lives or the lives of those they know. The value of libraries has been vindicated in this year’s budget.

Thank you!

Stacey Wicksall