Oswego Public Library board approves $9.1 million budget

Oswego Public Library District Board members last week approved their working budget and estimated income for the fiscal year from July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2019.

“This is the money we are estimating we will have coming in from tax money, fines and other sources for the next year,” said Sarah Skilton, library director.

Payments will be received in the spring and fall. The library district operates two libraries, the Oswego Campus Library on Jefferson Street in downtown Oswego, and the Montgomery Campus Library on Reading Drive in Montgomery.

Skilton said library officials expect to receive $9,125,000 from all sources, which matches the $9,125,000 in expenses they expect during the year.

If these are correct, the district would end the following year with no cash balance, she said.

Skilton said they expect to receive $4,813,662 in property taxes during the year and $4,311,838 from other income during the year.

Salary costs for the year are estimated to be $2,100,000 for professional assistants and $560,000 for clerical help, for a total of $2,660,000.

Operating expenses are estimated to be $100,000 for the year. That includes $45,000 for office and processing supplies, $35,000 for furniture and furnishings, $6,000 for postage and shipping, $4,000 for printing and legal costs and $10,000 for copier expenses.

Skilton said they are still using furniture dating back to 1981, which has been re-covered to look new.

Library media costs for materials are estimated to be $700,000. That includes $385,000 for books, $80,000 for audiovisuals, $25,000 for periodicals, $120,000 for databases, and $90,000 for e-materials.

Skilton said the district expects to spend $260,000 for automation, which includes $120,000 for IT equipment and $140,000 for maintenance.

Skilton said they have stayed within their budget every year for some time.

In other business, Skilton announced the district had purchased an iPad for each board member to use during board meetings and for library business off-site. Skilton said the devices will be equipped with the agenda for each meeting, as well as committee structures, minutes from meetings going back three years, and numerous other information to make their job as board members easier. Board members will be able to make notes on the agenda before and after the meetings, Skilton said.

The cost for the iPads was $4,633.

Terry Tamblyn, board president, said the iPads will not sit idle if board members don’t use them because other library personnel will use them. Several other area taxing bodies have already purchased iPads for their members.

In other business, Tamblyn announced there will not be a board meeting in July because of vacations.