Final Report of the Library Advisory Committee

The Town of Schodack Library Advisory Committee is the third citizen committee to examine the provision of library services in the Town over the past twelve years. In 1995 and again in 2002, panels studied options for developing a town-wide library service. Their recommendations were largely ignored. Since 1995 two significant changes have occurred. The Town of East Greenbush established a special library district and constructed a modern, high capacity library which has become the primary, but by no means the only library resource used by Town of Schodack citizens. The second change is the extension of the Upper Hudson Library System (UHLS) interlibrary loan system to all users at their homes through the World Wide Web. UHLS is a state certified regional library system covering all of Albany and Rensselaer Counties. Both of these created tremendous library resources which were not available to Schodack citizens prior to 1995.

The Town of Schodack contracts for services with three libraries- the Castleton Library (village ) and the East Greenbush and Nassau Libraries (town). Only the 100 year old Castleton Village Library lies within the Town boundaries. This facility functions in 1200 square feet of crowded first floor space in the Castleton Village Hall. The operating budget for this library comes largely from Town of Schodack service contract payments, with some in-kind services including rent and utilities provided by the Village of Castleton. The Nassau Free Library which is immediately adjacent to the eastern town boundary remains in its original location, a 3000 square foot property, on Main Street in the Village of Nassau, operated by it's library association. In 2006, Nassau voted to form a special taxing library district with revenue derived from a five year fixed tax on property owners. East Greenbush constructed a new 22,000 square foot Community Library in 2001 located three miles from Schodack's northern boundary. Well supported by its community , it is funded by a library tax paid by residents equal to $155 per household. Its library budget exceeds that of all ten other Rensselaer County library budgets combined. Circulation data show that Albany Public Library also enjoys significant Schodack usage, equal to that of Nassau Free Library.

Although custom has defined the library's service area as including the entire Town of Schodack, in fact the named service area is only the Village of Castleton. Therefore the Town was designated as an unserved population under UHLS and state regulations. Further provisions in these regulations specify that where specific and serious service inequities occur, services may be denied or restricted particularly when the user demand is from an unserved area. When no restrictions are in place, members of UHLS can use any service at any member library and can borrow books in person or through an online web service operated by UHLS. Castleton Village users borrow 25% of the total circulation through this service and Nassau Free Library users borrow 60% of their total.

This past year the usage of the East Greenbush Library by Schodack residents comprised almost 17% of their total patronage by volume. It should be noted however that 55% of all usage comes from outside the designated East Greenbush service area. (This is by far the highest percentage of any Capital District library except the Arvilla E Diver Memorial Library in the Village of Schaghticoke.) Schodack users of the East Greenbush Library come from the entire town but more often from the northern and proximate sections of Schodack.

In 2006, based on Schodack's usage and unserved status, the East Greenbush Library exercised the UHLS excess demand provisions when the Town of Schodack did not enter into an annual service contract and, therefore, did not pay any money to the library. The Town later did complete a service contract and then began a process to again identify service options beyond purchasing services from the three libraries.

Also in 2006, approximately 2600 square feet was identified as potential library space in the new Town Hall centrally located within the Town at the corner of Route 9 & 20 and Schuurman Road.. It should be noted that the Town Hall's capacity for housing a specific volume of library books is not yet determined. The Town Board convened an information meeting in June, 2006 to learn about options under current New York State law for incorporating a library district and suggestions about appropriate resources for developing library services. The Town Board then appointed members of the Library Advisory Committee with a charge to evaluate all options for providing library service including continuing the current practice of service contracts.

The Library Advisory Committee

Charge to the Committee

Under Section 1 Chapter 13 of Local Law Number 7, 2006 , the Town of Schodack appointed a Citizen Advisory Committee for the purpose of identifying, reviewing, and recommending options related to providing library services to residents of the Town. Said recommendations are to include the Committee's opinion regarding long- term efficacy and efficiency relating to Town library services. Options before the Committee for consideration are

Committee Members:

Karen Fagan - Trustee Village of Castleton-on-Hudson, Director of Nursing Admissions and Evaluation, Excelsior College

Seth Honeyman - (retired) Director of Research and Analysis Higher Education Services Corporation and formerly Principal Budget Examiner New York State Division of the Budget, former Mayor Village of Castleton

Michael Hurley, Ph.D. - Chair, Department of Business Administration, College of St. Rose

Andrew White, Director, Computer Center, Large Scale Projects and Acquisitions, Met Life Inc

Carolyn Stetson - (retired) Senior Project Manager New York State Department of Health, Office of Bioterrorism Preparedness

Debra Young Esq.,Town of Schodack Councilman, Attorney, Thuilliz, Ford, Gold, Butler and Young LLP.

A seventh member, former Town Councilman Louise Pearce, died in February. Her direction, council and energy are sorely missed.

Approach and Methodology

to identify the priorities the entire community places on library services and to find common ground among the varied interests , to develop recommendations which are achievable , fiscally reasonable and which match the values of the community.

The desirable outcome is to identify that single option within New York State Library law which best meets the expressed needs of the community and to support or discard each option as outlined in the charge to the committee

The Work Plan:

Demographic Description

This section examines factors which relate to the ability of the community to support services such as public libraries or which generate a demand for library services. We chose this approach because it represents the discipline's best practice method to completing a library services assessment and because this approach supports comparisons with other communities in Rensselaer County who operate public libraries. The question before the committee is, if eleven of fourteen towns in Rensselaer County support town-wide public libraries and three, including Schodack do not, how is Schodack alike or different from these other towns? For this discussion we chose three comparisons, East Greenbush, North Greenbush and West Sand Lake. We found that by every measure selected, except population density, Schodack is no longer a rural farming community. The Town is in fact a suburban bedroom community in an ex-urban area and is no different than surrounding suburban towns.

We collected data related to demand for library services from a town-wide survey conducted by the Siena Research Institute in 2007 and we have also compared Schodack to New York State and national indicators using the survey Households' Use of Public and Other Types of Libraries: 2002. (E.D. TAB. NCES 2007-327) by Mark Glander and Thuy Dam, Published by the National Center for Education Statistics. Publication Date:2007-01-00 (Available from: ED Pubs. P.O. Box 1398, Jessup, MD 20794-1398.; Web site: http://nced.ed.gov/help/orderinfo.asp).

The following section describes Schodack's population in terms of age, education, income and property indicators. All of these indicators relate to the demand for library services in some way. We examine population increases and the population distribution of the community. We compare educational attainment over time and the number of students in the community. Finally, we look at household income and the value of owner occupied property over the last twenty years, both in actual and in inflation adjusted dollars. We did identify changes within the Town of Schodack over the last generation (twenty years). This provides a context for a service situation which is essentially unchanged within this community in that time. We intend that this demographic analysis will provide an objective basis for decision making. And we recommend based on this analysis that the Town of North Greenbush serve as a comparable model to the Town of Schodack.

Note: The data in this section for the Town of Schodack and other towns in Rensselaer County come from the Decennial United States Census. Where available, mid-cycle census data and projections are included. All data was provided by the Capital District Regional Planning Commission.

Population

The Town population has grown steadily over the generation at an average rate of slightly more than 5% per decade. Although the Regional Planning Commission in 2004 projected a slower rate of growth into 2010, the population is still expected to continue to increase. This growth is similar to but less than that of neighboring communities of similar size. More citizens can reasonably be expected to create an increased demand for municipal services of all kinds. The following table compares population growth and rate of change in Schodack to the comparison points.

Glander and Dam found not surprisingly that people who live closer to a library are more likely to use it. Nationally, of the people who live 5 miles from a library, 47.4% visited it in the past year. 52% of those who live within one mile visited that library in the past year. In New York State the results are slightly different where an average of 48.4% of those who live anywhere up to ten miles from a library use it and only 38% of those who live more than ten miles from a library do. Our overall usage results match that ten mile threshold. When we looked at which households have an UHLS card based on where they live (by election district) we found the same relationship. The lowest percent holding UHLS cards live in Schodack Landing and south of the Village. This may suggest that the difference traveled could influence the decision to use the library, and this data was collected in 2002 prior to the increase in the cost of gasoline. Further analysis of where citizens live in relation to the public libraries used shows that 30% of the Schodack population live within five miles of the East Greenbush Community Library, 70% live within five miles of the Castleton Public Library and 91% live within five miles of the Schodack Town Hall, making that the most accessible site in the town.

The median age of the townspeople has increased from 32 to 38.8 years over the last twenty years, similar to the pattern in neighboring Rensselaer County towns. While we are aging, we continue to be a community with a substantial number of "youngsters" with over half the population under 40 years of age. This also reflects the proportion of households with children. The relative age of a community relates to demand for all municipal services and for libraries. Glander and Dam found that of in New York households they surveyed, 67.7% with children under age 18 visited the library in the past year. The Siena Survey found that respondents of all ages were equally likely to visit a public library.

Population growth and rate of change
Census	Schodack	East Greenbush	North Greenbush	West Sand Lake
* Projected
1980	11345		12913		10396		7022
1990	11839	4.35%	14076	9.01%	10891	4.76%	7642	8.8%
2000	12536	5.89%	15560	10.54%	10805	-0.79%	7987	4.5%
*2010	12747	1.68%	16708	7.38%	11359	5.13%	n/a	n/a

Median Age
Census	Schodack	East Greenbush	North Greenbush
1980	32	31.4	n/a
2000	38.8	38.9	41.3

The (omitted) table above shows age distribution over a twenty year span. The Siena Institute survey polled 336 people (55%) who are between 35 and 61 years of age. What appears to be important here is the shift in the population in the middle age groups over time. Most of the change in the median age can be seen as a shift from 18-34 to 35-61 groups. The highest proportion of adults are working and raising families.

But what is relatively unchanged over the last generation is the age distribution of the population from youngest to oldest. In 1980, 6.18% of the community was under five years of age and in the last census 5.61% of the population was under five years of age. Our focus group surveys showed that parents and grandparents are very likely to use library programs developed for that age group. After a spike in birth rates in the mid 1980's, the 5 to 17 years segment of the population now approaches 1980 levels. But that portion of the community aged 62 to 74 years increased only slightly from 16.24% to 17.08% of the total and the proportion of elders over 75 changed from 4.87% to 6.07%. 32% of the Siena Institute Research respondents were 62 years of age and older, a higher representation of those age groups than the actual population. In general, while Schodack townspeople are aging, as is the county and the nation, nevertheless most citizens are under 40 years of age.

The following data compares Schodack with neighboring towns. And there are very few differences. North Greenbush citizens are older and West Sand Lake has a slightly younger population.

The educational attainment of a community is an important measure of two things. It correlates directly to earning potential and it strongly predicts how often household members will visit a public library. The Glander and Dam study showed that households with members holding bachelor's and graduate degrees are much more likely to visit a public library than citizens who complete less schooling. And census data show that more Schodack residents are completing college and graduate training since 1980. In New York State (and in the US) 54.1% of those with a bachelor's degree and 66.8% with graduate degrees visited a public library within the last year.

2000 US Census
Demographic	Schodack	East Greenbush	North Greenbush	West Sand Lake
Percent Population under 5 yrs	5.6%	5.8%	5.7%	5.6%
Percent Population 5-19 yrs	22.1%	20.5%	18.9%	23.3%
Percent Population 20-34 yrs	15.7%	16.8%	15.8%	14.3%
Percent Population 35-59 yrs	39.4%	39.3%	36.3%	42.2%
Percent Population 60-74 yrs	11.0%	10.6%	13.1%	10.1%
Percent Population over 75 yrs	6.1%	7.0%	10.1%	4.4%

The following chart (omitted) shows the change over the last two decades in years of education completed.

Between 1980 and 1990 the number of citizens holding bachelor's degrees increased 14.2% and between 1990 and 2000, 18.5%. Those earning master's or doctorate degrees increased 32.5% between 1990 and 2000. 38% of those polled in the Siena Research Institute reported that they hold a bachelor's or advanced degree compared to 27.2% of the population in 2000. This predicts both a higher earning potential and an increased expectation of ready access to information. This is how we compare to neighboring communities.

The most striking change in educational attainment is the percentage of the population who finish high school. Census figures show that in 1980, 70% of all Schodack residents over age 25 had graduated from high school. By 2000 that percentage increased to 88%. In the Village of Castleton the high school graduation rate reported in 2000 is 82%. .

Glander and Dam found that in New York State 37.2% of those completing high school visited a public library compared to 23.2% who have not finished high school. In other words, as we become more educated citizens we use our public libraries more. Those who hold a bachelor's degree are twice as likely to visit a library as those who did not complete high school and citizens with graduate degrees are twice as likely to visit a public library as those who have no education beyond high school. The Siena Survey found that educational attainment strongly predicted library use.

Census data show that the number of Town of Schodack students attending Kindergarten through 12th grade classes after a peak in students in 1990, have not increased noticeably since 1980. And almost one-quarter (22.4%) of the town's population are students in either preprimary or grades K to 12. But more children have attended a preschool program since 1980 by an average increase of 100% per decade. These are important indicators because nationally Glander and Dam found that compared to 48% of all households, 66% with kids under 18 used a library in the last year and 69% of the households they surveyed with a high school student used a public library within the last month. Our survey found that preschool library programs are heavily subscribed. This chart shows changes in the generation since 1980.

Nationally 61% of households with incomes in the top 20 percent used a public library in the past year compared to 33% of households with incomes in the lowest 20 percent. People with higher incomes are more likely to use public libraries and Schodack household income is increasing. Half the Town's households earn more than $55,000 per year in the Year 2000 census (Median equals $55,176.) In 1980 the median household income in the Towns of Schodack and East Greenbush was virtually the same at $19,000. Within a decade, the median household income in the Town of Schodack increased 107%, and in East Greenbush increased 115%. Between 1990 and 2000 Schodack household income had increased 38% while East Greenbush income increased 25%. Town of Schodack median household income is now $1350 higher than East Greenbush. When an inflation rate of 117% (between 1980 and 2000) is accounted for, Schodack household income still increased significantly since 1980 and more than that of other communities. Town of North Greenbush median household income is directly comparable to Schodack at $55,422.

The distribution of median household income across the range of collected data shows a far more striking change. Not only have incomes increased, but more households have more income. Since 1990 the number of households enjoying an income of over $150,000 has increased 210%. As a community we are wealthier.

If poverty levels are measured as household income for a family of three, which was approximately $5000 in 1980, $10,000 in 1990 and $15,000 in 2000, the percentage of households with income below those levels decreased from 8.5% in 1980 to 8.1% in 1990 and dropped to 6.3% in 2000. Other measures of low income households indicate that in 2000, 3.2% of the population received Supplemental Security Income payments and 2.2% received public assistance payments. The average public assistance annual income was less than $3200.

In 2000, 21.7% of the community reported that they received retirement income with an average payment of $18,465. Those collecting Social Security payments, of an average $12,949, represented 26.6% of the population. 2% of the community reported that they were unemployed.

The Town of Schodack remains primarily a community of owner occupied housing. The bulk of housing units added to the tax rolls are single family, owner occupied units. (The only exception completed since 2000 is a 47 unit restricted occupancy apartment complex.) And the value of that property has increased even in inflation adjusted dollars. Property taxes remain the greatest source of town revenue and this means that the net capacity to support community services has increased. The Financial Analysis Section further describes the relationships between income, property value and library services in Rensselaer County. The only significant difference between Schodack and neighboring communities is the proportion of commercial property on the tax rolls.

Overall new housing construction has decreased, although large complexes are under review at this time. (Note: Census data combine construction figures for the decades immediately pre and post World War II.)

The value of this housing has increased as well, and more than the average for the County. In 1980 the median value of owner occupied housing in the Town of Schodack was $40,200 and in East Greenbush it was $38,200. A cost of living/inflation adjusted 1980 Schodack value would equal $87,234. In the Year 2000 the median value of Owner Occupied Housing was as follows:

That means that half the housing stock is worth more than $118,000.This represents an 196% actual increase in value since 1980. The Town of East Greenbush showed a 190% increase. When a standard cost of living inflation adjustment is applied for the decades 1980- 90 and 1990-2000 there remains a substantial increase in housing stock value. Between 1980 and 1990, using constant dollars, housing median value went up 41% and between 1990 and 2000 median value went up 29%.

At the same time, the number of units in the higher value ranges has increased substantially. In 1980 one house was valued at more than $200,000. In the 2000 census 219 houses were so reported. In other words by every measure Schodack housing stock is more valuable.

Upper Hudson Library System Usage Reports

The Upper Hudson Library System maintains a database of cardholder information and produces monthly reports showing the number and types of items circulated from each library. We have used those reports to analyze how Schodack townspeople use libraries right now. These usage data directly match the results of the Siena Research Institute Survey. Due to systematic errors in the way some user codes are assigned by the UHLS member libraries, we have validated card holder addresses against a database of registered voters in the Town of Schodack. We cannot correct the circulation reports for those errors but believe that they are consistent enough to draw conclusions from.

Overall 3187 households hold UHLS cards (within the last three years.) There were 4737 households reported in the 2000 census and 366 housing units added since then, therefore 61.4% of the households (not people) hold a library card. The Siena Survey found that 52% who responded said they visited a library at least once a month. The following charts address the question of where those cardholders live. They show that the percentage of the population holding UHLS library cards matches the population in each election district.

Percent citizens earning graduate or professional degree
Census	Schodack	East Greenbush	North Greenbush	West Sand Lake
2000	11.7%	15.5%	12.2%	12.9%

Percent residents earning high school diploma
Census	Schodack	East Greenbush	North Greenbush	West Sand Lake
1980	70%
1990	83%	85.2%
2000	88%	90.6%	89.7%	92.5%

Year	Number of Preprimary Students	Change in preprimary enrollment since 1980	% total population	Number of K-12 Students	Change in K-12 enrollment since 1980	% total population
1980	146	1.3%	2586	22.8%
1990	322	120.5%	2.7%	2004	-22.5%	16.9%
2000	263	80.1%	2.1%	2539	-1.8%	20.3%

Percent Owner Occupied Housing Units in 2000
Schodack	East Greenbush	North Greenbush	West Sand Lake
81.2%	74.9%	80.3%	81.6%

Median Value: Owner Occupied Housing Units in 2000
Schodack	East Greenbush	North Greenbush	West Sand Lake
$118,800	$111,000	$116,200	$123,500

Median Value
1980 Actual median home value	1990 Actual median home value	2000 Actual median home value
$40,200	116,400	$118,800

Value Increase with adjustment for CPI change
1980 value to 1990 index CPI adjusted	2000 value to 1990 index CPI adjusted
$68,642	41.0%	$91,932	29.2%

This graph (Omitted; replaced by the table below) shows where cardholders live based on their mailing address zip code.

When the circulation reports for all cards assigned to the Town of Schodack are totaled for January through November last year, 55% of the material is checked out of the East Greenbush Library. And 29% comes through the Castleton Public Library. The Nassau Free Library and Albany Public Library issue about the same proportion of materials - 6%. The Siena Survey found that 52% of the respondents say they use the East Greenbush Community Library, 30% use the Castleton Village Library, and 9% use the Nassau Free Library. The survey reported those living in zip codes closer to East Greenbush were more likely to use that library. This is consistent with the UHLS circulation reports and the data validate each other.

The following graph shows library use calculated from the UHLS circulation reports.

Financial Analysis

This section of the report concentrates upon analysis of the varying patterns of library spending and services in Rensselaer County. It also examines Schodack's ability to support library services.

There are 14 towns in Rensselaer County. Eleven support town wide libraries. Three - Schaghticoke, Pittstown, and Schodack - are designated unserved. All three have libraries within their borders, but these libraries are not chartered to serve areas outside the villages in which they are located. Those that do support libraries provide widely varying levels of financial support. The chart below illustrates that range. Because of this, identifying which factors predict spending levels or even determining a pattern of spending among County libraries has been difficult. And after examining all these factors we conclude that town demographics not library spending patterns will offer the best guidance on how much a library would cost. The Town of North Greenbush most closely corresponds to the Town of Schodack and that library budget presents a useable model for comparisons. An additional consideration is that like Schodack, North Greenbush is immediately adjacent to the East Greenbush Library District and is a high volume user of that regional library.

The effect on the average homeowner closely mirrors the variations shown above. The chart that follows estimates the cost of library services to a person owning a median value home.

As we attempted to determine which factors relate to or predict the level of library spending among Rensselaer County towns we learned that towns vary widely in population density, wealth, and proximity to urban areas. None of these characteristics seem to wholly explain the variations in per capita expenditure. Population density correlates reasonably strongly with higher per capita spending. Other indicators have a weaker effect and the value of the housing stock has a mildly negative effect. As the median value of housing increases, there is a slight tendency toward decreased per capita library expenditures, a difficult to explain outcome.

Total Library Expenditures

Unsurprisingly, the richer a community is overall, the more it spends on library services. We have already shown that in Schodack both wealth and population have increased significantly over the last twenty years.

Most of that support comes directly from local taxpayers defined as residents of the town (and, if they contribute, the village and school district). In only one case - Berlin - does a town library get most of its money from sources other than taxpayers. That library, however, is relatively small, with a budget of only $48,000 in 2006. The Nassau Free Library also had a relatively small local contribution in 2006, but that will change substantially with the passage that year of legislation greatly increasing Nassau town support.

Other Rensselaer County libraries (including the village libraries in Schaghticoke and Castleton) get at least 50 percent of their support from the town taxpayers. The Castleton, North Greenbush, West Sand Lake and East Greenbush libraries in fact get over 75 percent of their support from taxpayer funds.

Libraries get the rest of their support from State and county aid, library fund-raising, grants, and fees and charges. The other category - which comprises a large portion of the budget of the smaller libraries - comes from a variety of sources. Nassau, for example, reported over $30,000 in "other" revenue in 2006. Of that, $18,000 came from Schodack as a library service contract. The remaining $12,800 was composed of about $7,000 in gifts and endowments, about $2,100 in library charges, and $3,600 from a variety of other sources. It seems clear that the taxpayer must expect to pay the greater part of the cost as library services grow.

Services Provided

The library services provided in the towns vary widely - an obvious result of the differences in spending levels. To better examine those patterns, the Committee examined the budgets of the three libraries with which Schodack has service contracts, as well as those of Brunswick, North Greenbush and West Sand Lake. The latter three are towns with a wealth and population mix which resembles Schodack. Unsurprisingly, there were wide variations in the way those six libraries spent their money. There are six broad categories, Debt Service, Building operation and maintenance, Miscellaneous, Capital Spending, Collections and Personnel.

Note: This data does not reflect in-kind donations of services such as utilities or rent.

Because East Greenbush spending is so much greater than the other five libraries (its budget is about twice that of the other five combined), the differences among the neighboring libraries are more apparent when it is separated out.

The specific patterns of expenditure appear dictated by local history, customer demand and whether local leadership has made library services a priority. The Castleton Library among others receives significant in kind services which artificially decrease operation and maintenance expenditures. Other vagaries of local accounting undoubtedly also play a role.

Some overall patterns emerge. East Greenbush has created a library far better financed than its neighbors, which functions as a de facto regional library. The cardholder numbers illustrate the point. East Greenbush, with a population of 15,560 has issued 9,959 library cards for a cardholder to population rate of about 64 percent. That is larger than any other town or village library except the Castleton Village Library, which also acts in a modest way as a regional library.

The Community Survey

The Committee decided very early in the process that it would be necessary to survey the community. We evaluated several possibilities for administering the survey either through door to door canvases by civic group volunteers, the committee itself or at community events. We eliminated mailed surveys for several reasons and fortunately by the time we had determined what topics to cover, grant money was made available to hire a professional survey organization to conduct a telephone survey.

The Committee reviewed sample library patron questionnaires from all over the United States and discussed the issues before the Town. We decided to conduct face to face focus group meetings with representative groups from Schodack and selected interview targets based on age, gender and residence. The focus groups allowed us to test the topics and the questions and then add or eliminate information in the town wide survey. This is the text of the focus group interviews:

The Town wide survey

The Committee reviewed the outcome of the focus group meetings and determined which questions should be carried forward to the survey and which discarded. We designed a survey to poll a statistically valid sample of the entire town population. In order to assure that the people who were called were representative of the community we secured a listing of valid Schodack names and addresses from the Rensselaer County Election Commission. The Town hired the Siena College Research Institute to obtain responses from a representative random sample of the Town population to the survey questions. Siena staff reviewed all the questions and made some editorial changes to make the survey more usable for phone interviewers. The following report from Siena lists the questions and responses. Cell phone and unlisted numbers were not included since they can not be matched with a residence address or they are not publicly available. The results of the survey correspond to national patterns and to UHLS circulation data. A summary of the national library user study which we consulted follows. The results were further verified by the Committee by additional statistical analyses of the same data In addition, the distribution of responses by zip code closely matches the actual population distribution. In other words, the Schodack data is "normal".

Opinions on a Library for The Town of Schodack:

Card Holders per Election District
ED	Number	Percentage
1	394	12%
2	139	4%
3	405	13%
4	329	10%
5	221	7%
6	279	9%
7	400	13%
8	247	8%
9	397	12%
10	376	12%

Siena Survey - who uses which library?
Zip	East Greenbush	Castleton	Nassau	Other
12033	58%	38%	0.3%	3.1%
12061	73.3%			26.7%
12063*	80%		6.7%	13.3%
12123	52.2%	1.1%	40.%	6.7%
12156	15.2%	66.7%	3.0%	15.2%

Library Support From Local Taxes
Town/Library	Tax Support
Berlin	15.1%
Brunswick	72.5%
East Greenbush	81.5%
Grafton	53.9%
Hoosick Falls	48.6%
Nassau	42.9%
North Greenbush	85.8%
Petersburgh	59.4%
Poestenkill	63.0%
Sand Lake	78.0%
Schaghticoke	55.3%
Steventown	68.9%
Castleton	80.6%

A telephone survey by Siena College Research Institute, 515 Loudon Road, Loudonville, NY 12211
phone: 518-783-2901
fax: 518-786-5052
www.siena.edu/sri
May 22, 2007

In April 2007, The Town of Schodack commissioned the Siena College research Institute to conduct a poll of town residents regarding their opinions about library service. The random telephone survey reached 624 town residents age 18 or older, for a margin of error of + 3.9 percentage points. Fourteen responses were not complete and therefore usable.

I. Summary report

A. Profile of the Respondents:

Of the 610 respondents to this survey,

• Years in Schodack: 73% have lived in Schodack for more than 10 years; 13% have lived in the town for 5-10 years; and 12% have lived in the town for fewer than five years

• Age: 55% of the sample was between the ages of 35 and 61; 32% were 62 years of age or older; and 13% were 18 to 34 years of age.

• Highest educational attainment :

22% have a high school degree, equivalency or less

25% attended some college

15% have an associate's degree

20% have a bachelor's degree

18% have a graduate degree

• Household: 46% have children living at home.

B. Library Use: frequency, preferences and library currently used/preferences for the future

Frequency:

• Over half (52%) say they visit a library at least once a month or more.

•25% say they never visit a library. Of this 25% (151 respondents) who never visit a library,
•44% say they have access to similar materials/services elsewhere, and
•41% are not interested in or need library services.

Preferences:

Respondents were asked which services they use at the library they frequent, and which services they would like to see more of.
• .The most popular response (94%) by far, is books, CD's, tapes, and DVD's;

• Similarly, more people (41%) said they would like to see even more books, CD's, tapes, and DVD's made available than any other service.

Selected Questions and response rates
Service	Q.3: Which services do you use at the library?	Q.4: Which of those services would you like to see more of at your library?
Books, CD's, Tapes, DVD's	94%	41%
Children's or family programs	30%	22%
Classes, meetings, concerts, community space	22%	22%
Internet access	18%	12%
Research (e.g. school papers, family tree)	31%	13%
Other (Copying, FAX, tax forms)	9%	10%
No answer	2%	37%

Library currently used/preferences for the future

• Over half (52%) use the East Greenbush Community Library as their primary library (73% of Schodack residents who have lived in the town for 10 or more years say so);
• 30% use the Castleton library, 9% used the Nassau library, and 9% replied "other."
• When asked, "If the Town of Schodack were to build a library in a convenient place and with appropriate services, would this become your primary library," 50% said yes; 40% said no, and 11% replied don't know or no opinion.
• Respondents were asked: "Given that the average Schodack household pays $45 a year in town taxes for library support, would your answer be the same if you knew the amount would likely increase?" 62% replied yes, 26% no, and 12% don't know or no opinion.
• A plurality (38%) would like to see a Schodack library that is "full service like East Greenbush Community Library; 23% would like to see a branch of another local library; and 10% said they would like to see an Internet center for research and interlibrary loan site. Another 13% replied "other," and 17% replied don't know or no opinion.
• Respondents were asked if, instead of building a Schodack library, improvements were made to the library most Schodack residents use, would you support an increase in the library services fee currently being assessed, 56% replied yes, 32% no, and 12% don't know/know opinion.
• When asked, "Do you favor pursuing a consolidated library district including Schodack, East Greenbush and Nassau or other towns in the future, even if you know it would result in an increase in fees," Opinions are equally divided: 44% replied yes, 44% replied no, and 11% replied don't know or no opinion.

C. Crosstabs by Zip Code:

When asked, "Which library do you primarily use,"

- Of those in zip code 12033 (Castleton):
• 58% say East Greenbush Community Library
• 37% say Castleton Village Library

- Of those in zip code 12063 (East Schodack):
• 82% say East Greenbush Community Library

- Of those in zip code 12123 (Nassau):
• 51% say East Greenbush Community Library
• 42% say Nassau Town Library

- Of those in zip code 12156 (Schodack Landing) • 64% say Castleton Village Library

The following tables were developed by Dr Hurley from the Siena Research dataset

Those responding with a valid zip code:  610 

Those responding who did not supply a zip code:  14 

Those who named a primary library: 460 

Those who did not name a primary library: 164 


Respondent Zip code distribution 
12033 
385 
63.1% 

12061 
15 
2.5% 

12063* 
19 
3.1% 

12123 
119 
19.5% 

12156 
53 
8.7% 

12184* 
18 
3.0%  

Which library do you primarily use? (Townwide) 
East Greenbush Community Library 
248 
39.7% 

Castleton Public Library 
137 
29.8% 

Nassau Town Library 
39 
8.5% 

Other 
36 
7.8% 

Which library do you primarily use? (12123) 

East Greenbush Community Library 
47 
52.2%

Castleton Public Library 
1 
1.1% 

Nassau Town Library 
36 
40.0% 

Other 
6 
6.7% 

Which library do you primarily use? (12061) 

East Greenbush Community Library 
11 
73.3% 

Castleton Public Library 
0 
0 

Nassau Town Library 
0 
0 

Other 
4 
26.7% 

Which library do you primarily use? (12033) 

East Greenbush Community Library 
171 
57.4% 

Castleton Public Library 
114 

38.3% 

Nassau Town Library 
1 
0.3% 

Other 
12 
4.0% 

Which library do you primarily use? (12063) 

East Greenbush Community Library 
12 
80% 

Castleton Public Library 
01 (sic)
0 

Nassau Town Library 
21 
6.7% 

Other 
2 
13.3% 

Which library do you primarily use? (12156) 

East Greenbush Community Library 
5 
15.2% 

Castleton Public Library 
22 
66.7% 

Nassau Town Library
1 
3.0% 

Other 
5 
15.2% 


Which library do you primarily use? (12184) 

East Greenbush Community Library 
2 
16.7% 

Castleton Public Library 
0 
0 

Nassau Town Library 
0 
0 

Other 
10 
83.3%

II. Schodack Library Survey Questionnaire

N = 610 respondents (margin of error = + 3.9 percentage points)

Intro: Hello, I'm calling from Siena College with some questions regarding how you feel about library services in the Town of Schodack. The town board will use the findings of the survey in a report on how to best serve town residents. Currently, the Town of Schodack provides library services by contracting with the town libraries in East Greenbush and Nassau, and the Castleton Village Library.

1. How often do you visit a library?
31% _ At least every two weeks (skip to q. 3)
22% _ Once a month (skip to q. 3)
23% _ Less than once a month (skip to q. 3)
25% _ Never (go to q. 2)

2. What is the major reason you don't use the library? Would you say you:
Of this number (151 respondents or 25% of the total respondents),
44% _ have access to similar materials/services elsewhere
4% _ are not sure where the libraries are
41% _ are not interested in or need library services
11% _ are unable to get to any library
(After answering #2, skip to #6)

1. Which services do you use at the library? Choose as many as apply: (n=459 respondents)
94% _ Books, CD's, Tapes. DVD's
30% _ Children's or family programs
22%_ Classes, meetings, concerts, community space
18%_ Internet access
31%_ Research (e.g. schools papers, family tree)
9%_ Other ( Copying, FAX, tax forms)
2% _ na

2. Which of those services would you like to see more of at your library? Choose as many as apply: (n=459 respondents)
41% _ Books, CD's, Tapes. DVD's
22% _ Children's or family programs
22% _ Classes, meetings, concerts, community space
12% _ Research (e.g. schools papers, family tree)
10% _ Other (Copying, FAX, tax forms
3.7% _ No answer

5. Which library do you primarily use? (n=459 respondents)
52% _ East Greenbush Community Library
30% _ Castleton Village Library
9% _ Nassau Town Library
9% _ Other: ______________________

Note: all of the following questions are based on the responses of 610 respondents (margin of error = + 3.9 percentage points)

6. If the town of Schodack were to build a library in a convenient location and with appropriate services would this become your primary library?
Yes 50%
No 40%_
Don't know 11%

7. Given that the average Schodack household now pays about $45 a year in town taxes for library support, would your answer be the same if you knew that amount would likely increase?

Yes 62%
No 26%
Don't know 12%

8. What would you consider appropriate for a Schodack library? 38% _ Full service like E. Greenbush
10% _ Internet center for research and interlibrary loan site for orders, pickups and drop-offs
22% _ A branch of another local library (e.g., East Greenbush, Nassau, or Castleton)
13% _ other: ______________________________________
17% _ don't know/no opinion

9. If improvements were made to the library most Schodack residents primarily use, would you support an increase in the library services fee currently being assessed?
Yes 56%
No 32%
Don't Know 12%

10. Would you favor pursuing a consolidated library district including Schodack, East Greenbush and Nassau or other towns in the future, even if you knew it may result in an increase in fees?
Yes 44%
No 44%
Don't Know 11%

(Demographic questions follow)

11 How long have you lived in the Town of Schodack?
12% _ Less than 5 years
13% _ 5-10 years
72% _ Over 10 years
3% _ [refused]

12. What is your age?
13% _ 18 to 34
55% _ 35 to 61
32% _ 62 or more
1% _ [refused]

13. What is your education level?
22% _ high school, equivalency or less
25% _ Some college
15% _ Associate Degree
20% _ Bachelor Degree
18% _ Graduate degree
1% _ [refused]

14. Do you have children living at home?
Yes 46%
No 53%
dk 0

15. What is your zip code? ___ ___ ___ ___ ___
65% 12033
2.4% 12061
3% 12063
19% 12123
9% 12156
3% 12184

The following report is from a national study of library users conducted in 2002 at the direction of the National Center for Education Statistics. As we indicated several findings from this report matched well with the outcome of the Siena Research Study. The excerpt below addresses national results. Data for just New York State is also available. The NCES World Wide Web Home Page address is http://nces.ed.gov. The NCES World Wide Web Electronic Catalog is http://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch. The Library Statistics Programs World Wide Web Welcome Page is http://nces.ed.gov/surveys/libraries/. This publication is only available online. To download, view, and print the report as a PDF file, go to the NCES World Wide Web Electronic Catalog address shown above.

Suggested Citation
Glander, M., and Dam, T. (2006). Households' Use of Public and Other Types of Libraries: 2002
(NCES 2007- 327). U.S. Department of Education. Washington, DC: National Center for Education Statistics.
Retrieved [date] from http://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch.
Content Contact: Adrienne Chute
202-502-7328
adrienne.chute@ed.gov

Selected Findings

Households' Use of Libraries

Almost one-third of households (31 percent) used a public library₁ in the month preceding the survey. Almost half (48 percent) used a public library in the year preceding the survey (table 1). In nine states (Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia), household use of public libraries in the past year was significantly lower than the national average; in ten states (Connecticut, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, Ohio, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin) it was significantly higher₂.

Almost one-fifth of households (19 percent) used a school library in the past month, 10 percent of households used a college or university library in the past month, and 4 percent of households used a work library in the past month (table 1)₃.

The use of public libraries was higher for households that were closer to a library (table 2). In the past year, 52 percent of households less than a mile from a public library used a public library, 50 percent of households 1-2 miles from a public library used a public library, 47 percent of households 3-5 miles from a public library used a public library, 41 percent of households 6-10 miles from a public library used a public library, and one-third (34 percent) of households more than 10 miles from a public library used one.

A larger proportion of two-parent and single-mother households (69 percent and 60 percent) used a public library in the past year than households consisting of single females (34 percent), single males (28 percent) or other households without children (42 percent) (table 4).

Nationwide, two-thirds of households with children under 18 (66 percent) used a public library in the past year (table 6). In four states (Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Texas) the use of public libraries by these households was significantly lower than the national average; In six states (Connecticut, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Minnesota, Ohio) the use of public libraries by these households was significantly higher than the national average.

Thirty-six percent of households with retired persons used a public library in the past year (table 8).

Households varied in their use of public libraries by income and education. Sixty-one percent of households with incomes in the top 20 percent used a public library in the past year compared to 33 percent of households with incomes in the lowest 20 percent (table 9).

Twenty-one percent of households where the highest education level was less than a high school diploma used a public library in the past year; of households where the highest education level was an advanced degree, 66 percent used a public library in the past year (table 10). _{1 Public library includes bookmobiles.

2 Not all states can be meaningfully compared to the national average. The reliability of the estimate for any one state depends on several factors, including the number of households sampled within that state. States with larger populations provided larger samples than states with smaller populations, thus yielding more reliable estimates. So while estimates for some states may appear to be very different from the national average, the estimates are not always sufficiently reliable to be statistically significant. Large population states like Florida are more likely to be included in these comparisons than states with small populations. The comparisons listed are only those that are statistically significant. T-tests were used to determine which states were significantly above or below the national average. These t-tests included a Bonferroni adjustment to account for multiple comparisons being made against the national average.

3 Respondents selected type of library from a list provided in the questionnaire. Library types were not specifically defined in the survey. See the glossary (appendix D) and the questionnaire (appendix C) for more details.}

Sixty-nine percent of households with a high school student and 65 percent of households with a college student used a public library in the past year (table 11).

More households used a public library in the past month to borrow materials (26 percent) or for enjoyment or hobbies (19 percent) than to get information for personal use₄ (9 percent) or attend a meeting (2 percent) (table 13).

Nationwide, more households with children under 18 used a library in the past month for a school assignment (22 percent) than to participate in programs for children under 13 (10 percent) or for teenagers, ages 13 to 18 (3 percent) (table 14). In two states (Alabama and Washington) household participation in programs for children under 13 was significantly lower than the national average; in no state was this participation significantly higher than the national average.

Nine percent of U.S. households used a public library in the past month to use a computer or the Internet (table 16). In five states (Alabama, Arkansas, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, West Virginia), this use of public libraries was significantly lower than the national average; in one state Washington), this use was significantly higher than the national average.

Use of libraries by household characteristics

Among households with a disabled person, 65 percent reported that their public library had made it easier for disabled people to access the library or materials; 17 percent reported barriers to the disabled person's use of the public library (table 17). In one state (South Carolina), the percentage of these households that reported barriers to use was significantly lower than the national average; in no state was this percentage significantly higher than the national average.

Two percent of households with members age 55 or older participated in public library programs or activities for people age 55 or older in the past month (table 18).

More households with children under 18 and more than 10 miles from a public library used a school library (53 percent) in the past month than similar households within 1 mile of a public library (45 percent) (table 20).

Among households with children under 18, a larger percentage of Black and Asian households (25 percent and 26 percent respectively) use a public library in the past month for a school assignment than did white or Hispanic households (22 percent and 20 percent respectively) (table 20)₅.

A smaller proportion of white, non-Hispanic households (8 percent) than Black, non-Hispanic households (13 percent), Hispanic households (12 percent), Asian/Pacific Islander households (11 percent) or mixed households (12 percent) used a public library in the past month to use a computer or the Internet (table 22)₆.

Eighteen percent of households with a high school student, 16 percent of households with a college student, and 17 percent of households with job-seekers used a public library in the past month to use a computer or the Internet (table 22).

_{4 Information for personal use includes information on consumer or health issues, and investments.

5 Race/Ethnicity is based on the race/ethnicity of all members of the household. If more than one category of
race/ethnicity was reported for household members, the household was classified as "Mixed race/ethnicity."

6 This greater use of computers at public libraries by minorities than by whites may reflect the greater availability of computers in White and Asian households. A recent NCES study reported that "[Among American school children,] White and Asians are more likely to use computers at home than are Blacks, Hispanics, and American Indians." (DeBell and Chapman 2006, p. v.)}

Ten percent of households with job-seekers used a public library in the past month to get information to help find a job (table 23).

Forty-one percent of households with children under 18, 28 percent of households with any members ages 18 through 64, and 19 percent of households with any members age 65 and older used a public library or bookmobile in the past month to borrow materials7 (table 25).

Laws Governing Library Services

New York State Law defines several different types of public libraries. Most relevant here are the Municipal Library which Castleton Public Library is, and the Special Library District, which a newly chartered library district would be.

The governance of a municipal library is that the municipality notifies the State that it intended to create a new library, passes a resolution to create a new library, funds the new library and appoints library trustees. The appointed library trustees then manage the library for the municipality. To form a Special Legislative District Public Library, a request would be made to the State Legislature to authorize a local election to establish and fund a new library and subsequently to elect library trustees. That Legislation would specify the service area and the election process. The service area can be drawn to reflect the library usage patterns.

Any chartered library must meet the requirements of the Commissioner of Education and the State Board of Regents. Those standards, embodied in 8 NYCRR §90.2, are as follows:

(1) the library is governed by written bylaws which outline the responsibilities and procedures of the library board of trustees;

(2) the library has a board-approved, written long-range plan of service;

(3) the library presents an annual report to the community on the library's progress in meeting its goals and objectives as stated in the plan;

(4) the library board defines and approves written policies for the operation of the library;

(5) the library presents annually to appropriate funding agencies a written budget which would enable the library to meet or exceed these standards and to carry out its long-range plan of service;

(6) the library periodically evaluates the effectiveness of the library's collection and services in meeting community needs;

(8) the library maintains a facility to meet community needs, including adequate space, lighting, shelving, seating, and restroom;

(9) the library provides equipment and connections to meet community needs including, but not limited to telephone, photocopier, tele-facsimile capability, and microcomputer or terminal with printer to provide access to other library catalogs and other electronic information;

(10) the library distributes printed information listing the library's hours open, borrowing rules, services, location and phone number.

(11) the library employs a paid director in accordance with the provisions of Section 90.8 of this Part. In this case, under 8 NYCRR 90.2(8), Schodack would be required to employ "as director only persons who hold the public librarian's professional or provisional certificate or a certificate of qualification [and] in all other professional librarian positions only persons who hold the public librarian's professional or provisional certificate, a certificate of qualification or a conditional certificate

Also, under 8 NYCRR 90.2(7), for districts with the population of the Town of Schodack, the library would have to be open a minimum of forty (40) hours a week.

Provided the library meets certain standards set forth in 8 NYCRR § 90.4, State aid is available to support and construct such a facility. It should also be note that any public agency can enter into an interlocal agreement for the provision of library services under Education Law § 462.

Minimum Service Requirements

There are some guidelines for determining whether a community provides sufficient library services and whether that service meets a minimum standard beyond the chartering process described above. Primarily in order to be considered "served", a community must have within it a library chartered by the Department of Education to provide services to all its residents. Determination of a minimum level of service is somewhat less clear. The New York State Division of Library Development (DLD) has established a spending goal of $20 per capita for libraries. The goal is hortatory rather than controlling - no penalties are imposed if it is not met.

DLD does administer statutes and regulations that do have impact. In the Upper Hudson Library System, expenditure of less than $9 per capita makes a community "underserved". Being designated "unserved" or "underserved" has implications for a community and its residents. Ordinarily, holders of a library card can use the services of any public library in that system. As we have noted that privilege can be restricted if the resident lives in an unserved or underserved area as indicated in 8 NYCRR 90.3. Pursuant to 8 NYCRR 90.3(10), the Town of Schodack is unserved as the residents of the Town are within the boundaries of a public library system but are outside the boundaries of a chartered service area of a library which is a member of that system.

Under the UHLAN service plan, East Greenbush will not be required to "provide free direct access to their materials and services to residents of a jurisdiction of 10,000 population or more" which has not acted to establish and maintain a public library "or which is not contracting for public library service in accordance with section 256 of the Education Law." Those restrictions are limited to "non-print materials and equipment, and printed materials less than one year old, including fiction and nonfiction books and periodicals" which have been purchased from local funds. Attendance to library programs may also be restricted and if attendance must be limited, local residents receive a preference. Again, these programs must be funded by local funds. These restrictions may be imposed without approval of the Commissioner of Library Services.

If East Greenbush chooses, they can apply to the commissioner for further restrictions provided they can meet the criteria set forth in 8 NYCRR 90.3(3)(i), Under that section, the requesting library must prove that providing unrestricted direct access results in serious inequities and hardships to the resident borrowers of the member library making the request. The requesting library must also set forth the "(ii) proposed modifications to unrestricted direct access that will be implemented and a description of the anticipated impact on resident and non-resident borrowers; (iii) a proposed timeframe within which such modifications will be in effect; and (iv) recommendations for remedying the underlying inequity with a proposed timetable for action.

Library Services in Neighboring Communities

Libraries Serving the Schodack Community

The three libraries serving the Schodack community; Castleton Public Library, East Greenbush Community Library, and Nassau Free Library are described on the following pages. In addition to noting specific characteristics such as circulation data and collection size, interviews with each of the library boards are summarized. Note: The annual reports for Castleton, East Greenbush, and Nassau Libraries are included in the Appendix.

The Library Advisory Committee met with the boards of each contracted library to discuss a series of questions that were provided to board members in advance of the meeting. They are:

Castleton Public Library
Address: 85 South Main Street
Castleton-on-Hudson, NY 12033-1207
Phone: (518) 732-0879
Fax: (518) 732-0835
Website: http://www.uhls.org/castleton

Location: I-90 E to I 787 into downtown Albany and follow the signs for Rts. 9 & 20. Bear right on Rt. 9J and follow into Castleton. Stimpson Ave. is in the village, two blocks south of the intersection of Rts. 9J & 150. Turn left onto Stimpson.

Circulation Data:
Total catalogued book circulation: 22,078
Total other materials circulation: 11,004
Grand total circulation transactions: 33,082
Total reference transactions: 6.373

Interlibrary loan
Total Materials received: 7,562
Total materials provided: 2,688

Collection Size:
Total print materials: 18,212
Total databases: 18
Total other materials holdings: 1,708
Total current subscriptions: 67
Total additions to holdings: 1,809
Square Footage: 1,222 square feet

Summary of Library Board Interview:
We then met with the Castleton Village Library Board at the Village Hall on May 8, 2007. We discussed the following points.

A. Educational, entertaining, and award winning cultural programs that meet the needs of infants thru seniors.
B. Strong partnerships with the Maple Hill School district
C. Knowledgeable, creative and friendly staff
D. Family and child-friendly atmosphere
E. One of the only positive presences located in the downtown area

A. Not enough space to provide for materials, programs, or parking.
B. Poor funding limits the library's ability to expand the collection to include even basic materials, forces us to use antiquated computers and equipment, and does not allow us to keep pace with other libraries.
C. Not handicapped accessible.

3. The friends of the library assist the director and staff with routine library functions, host their own events, and raise funds for varied uses around the library.

4. Our patrons always support fund-raisers with great enthusiasm. However, we would welcome any ideas about new sources of funding so as not to appear as if we are constantly begging for money.

A. Stewart's Holiday Match
B. WGY Christmas Wish
C. Imagination River Storytelling Grant
D. Sky Camp Grant
E. Kids Cookin' by the Book Grant
F. NEA Big Read
G. Arts Grant "Sounds True"

6. The goals for this year and the most important of these goals to accomplish are:

A. Upgrade the library's technology
B. Improve staff training and develop procedures and policy manual
C. Better organize the library's limited space to eliminate clutter and make the environment more user-friendly
D. Streamline everyday tasks and responsibilities to allow me more flexibility.

A. To develop a second location that would alleviate our space problems and better serve out population.
B. Expand in-house and outreach programs.
C. Enhance areas of our collection that are now limited.

8. The town of Schodack can help Castleton Library to accomplish these goals by providing additional space and additional funding.

9. If the town of Schodack chooses to no longer fund the library the Castleton Library would close.

East Greenbush Community Library
Address:10 Community Way
East Greenbush, NY 12061
Phone: (518) 477-7476
Fax: (518) 477-6692
Email: egrnref@uhls.lib.ny.us
Website: http://www.eastgreenbushlibrary.org/

Location: The library is located at the corner of Rte 151 and Michael Road, East Greenbush. From 9 & 20: Turn onto Rte 4. Make right onto Rte 151 East (Luther Road). Turn right onto Michael Rd. Library will be on your right.
From I-90 East: Take Exit 9. Make a right onto Rte 4. At first light turn left onto Rte 151 East (Luther Road). Follow directions above.
From I-90 West: Take Exit 9. Make left onto Rte 4. Follow directions above.

Circulation Data:
Total catalogued book circulation: 207,817
Total other materials circulation: 146,693
Grand total circulation transactions: 354,510
Total reference transactions: 28,955

Interlibrary loan
Total Materials received: 43,870
Total materials provided: 33,318

Collection Size:
Total print materials: 63,489
Total databases: 27
Total other materials holdings: 121,877
Total current subscriptions: 230
Total additions to holdings: 9,847

Summary of Library Interview:
We met with the East Greenbush Library board on March 20, 2007 during one of the Board's regularly scheduled meetings; some of the items discussed were as follows (along with the standard questions.)

Nassau Free Library
Address: PO Box 436, 18 Church Street
Nassau, NY 12123
(518) 766-2715
(518) 766-2715
nass1@uhls.lib.ny.us
http://www.nassaufreelibrary.org

Location: Take Rte 20 east into the village, where it becomes Church Street. Cross intersection of Rte 203. The library is on the south side of Church Street, across from the Town Hall.

Circulation Data:
Total catalogued book circulation: 15,032
Total other materials circulation: 11,136
Grand total circulation transactions: 26,168
Total reference transactions: 1,222

Interlibrary loan
Total Materials received: 11,242
Total materials provided: 2,822

Collection Size:
Total print materials: 24,138
Total databases: 18
Total other materials holdings: 1,938
Total current subscriptions: 14
Total additions to holdings: 1,574

Summary of Library Interview:
We met with the Nassau Free Library on 4/18/07 at their library. We discussed the following points:

In addition to the discussion points noted above the Board provided written responses to the committee's questions as follows:

Rensselaer County Libraries

While it is interesting to compare and contrast each of the three libraries used by Schodack residents, it is also relevant to examine characteristics among other UHLS libraries. Financial data is examined in the Financial Analysis Section, Here we summarize other characteristics of the libraries to assist in the comparison.

The following table shows data from the twelve UHLS libraries in Rensselaer County- source Infomata.org (national library report database).

Rensselaer County Libraries
Library name	Library Square Footage	# of Registered Resident Borrowers	# of Registered Nonresident Borrowers	Population of The Legal Service Area	Expenditures Per Capita
E. Greenbush	22,000	9,959	9,851	15,560	$40.98
Sand Lake	4,400	4,679	1,294	7,987	$10.82
Petersburg	3,900	940	48	1,563	$15.71
No. Greenbush	3,500	2,856	1,564	10,805	$8.63
Nassau	2,968	1,109	590	4,818	$7.15
Poestenkill	2,100	1,497	137	4,054	$6.88
Berlin	1,500	864	67	1,901	$14.54
Stephentown	1,500	798	54	2,873	$7.07
Castleton	1,222	1,274	169	1,619	$43.23
Valley Falls	905	370	168	491	$29.07
Grafton	896	830	38	1,987	$11.59
Brunswick	600	1,995	597	11,664	$8.61

Addition Criteria: Rensselaer County Libraries
Library name	Public Internet Terminals	Total Circulation	Childrens Program Attendance	Young Adult Program Attendance	Adult Program Attendance	Total Program Attendance
E. Greenbush	30	335,035	6,639	457	2,042	9,138
Sand Lake	6	63,053	1,400	53	930	2,798
Petersburg	3	33,280	210	0	72	324
No. Greenbush	1	78,620	1,450	0	100	1,550
Nassau	3	21,866	1,000	80	241	1,508
Poestenkill	3	27,221	886	0	212	1,798
Berlin	3	13,701	336	0	90	614
Stephentown	2	15,174	430	0	592	1,160
Castleton	2	31,098	8,619	1,180	6,772	16,571
Valley Falls	3	10,503	695	0	0	695
Grafton	2	20,041	355	0	258	613
Brunswick	2	42,614	1,229	19	326	1,674

Chart: SPACE AVAILABLE PER REGISTERED CARD HOLDER
Graphic representations of above, omitted; see full report

Options and their anticipated consequences

Option 1 Maintain the Status Quo

Schodack has its own de facto library policy - to provide library services for its residents through service contracts with neighboring libraries. Many residents are satisfied with the outcome, but some change - whether evolutionary or substantial - appears nearly inevitable. The simple fact that this committee was appointed stands witness to the instability of the current policy. The Library Boards of all three contracting libraries are to greater or lesser degree - unhappy with the current arrangement:

East Greenbush as a de facto regional library maintains that about 17 percent of its circulation service is provided to Schodack residents, with significant service also provided to Nassau and North Greenbush residents, although without additional reimbursement for that. The East Greenbush Library is clearly heavily utilized. The Library Board states that they are experiencing "too much success". They further state that they need more meeting rooms. The turnover rate for circulated materials is higher by a factor of two than any other library in the Upper Hudson Library System. On site programs are heavily subscribed and now require reservations to "comply with fire marshal directions." Parking lots and computer workstations are consistently full.

Castleton Village Library serves many people living in the town but outside the village. It too has parking shortages and insufficient room for onsite activities. Handicap accessibility while technically available, is practically difficult and not at all available for the second floor meeting space. There is no reading space for adults and all technology needs to be upgraded. The Library staff routinely removes books. Program materials storage space is non-existent. The operating budget is so tight that site improvements and upgrades have been accomplished through donations. Castleton Village Library considers itself "strangled" by lack of space and uncertainty about future funding. Both board members and staff appear discouraged by the current limitations.

The Nassau Free Library seems to be the least stressed of the three libraries based on the group interviews. This is primarily the result of the community vote last spring to fund library services through a library fee on all tax bills. Their space constraints are less severe, although their basement meeting room is also not handicapped accessible. They have also received grants and bequests to fund capital improvements and repairs. Nassau asks only assurance that current service levels will continue for a predictable period.

One other factor suggests that the status quo will not continue. East Greenbush contract service fees have increased about 10% each year since 2004, despite a drop in Schodack usage. However the per household usage fee for Schodack users is $45 per median value household while East Greenbush taxpayers pay $155 per median household (based on treating both towns as one tax base.) for exactly the same service. This eventually will prove intolerable to the taxpayers of East Greenbush. Under current law and regulation, East Greenbush can restrict or deny service to Schodack residents if there is no "fair" contract in place.

If the status quo (three service contracts) continues, it can be assumed that Schodack will again be asked to increase its appropriation to East Greenbush, and further Schodack has no control over the amount of the payment, At the same time Schodack will be asked to support plant acquisition and maintenance for the Castleton Village Library since many Town but not Village residents use that library. The Castleton Village Hall cannot reasonably continue to support two functions, both of which could use the entire available space in the building. If that library moved to new quarters, the cost of acquiring and renovating an appropriately sized building in Castleton Village should best be estimated by an engineer/architect. For illustration purposes only, a building for a Village library on Main Street could be obtained and renovated for about $500,000. That would result in an annual carrying cost of about $35,000 per year for a 30-year construction bond at 5.5%. Option 1 is not favored because it does nothing to provide spending stability and predictability.

Option 2 Consolidate Services with East Greenbush District

The East Greenbush Library Board has advanced consolidation of services with Schodack as their favored alternative. The option is attractive as all possibility of restricted service would be laid to rest; Schodack residents would assume a role in governance of the district; and the Castleton library could be incorporated as a branch.

However, the Siena Research Institute Survey showed no consensus around this alternative. Those responding divided evenly with 44% supporting this solution and 44% opposing. The proposal also brings with it significant potential costs. And given the financial implications this does not offer a clear alternative for the town.

If the two towns pay the library tax in proportion to the full value of taxable property, Schodack's share increases dramatically. Schodack now pays about ten percent of the East Greenbush library budget but Schodack's taxable property equates to about 43 percent of the value of the two towns combined. If a Castleton branch library is added to the equation, and the contribution to Nassau Free Library is held constant, Schodack's levy for library services would increase from the current $247,900 to an estimated $647,000.

Incorporation of Castleton as a branch, in addition to the legal obstacles inherent in that change, would almost certainly require additional space and adherence to state standard library staff qualifications. Taking the Town of North Greenbush Library budget as a model, overall annual cost would increase by an estimated $130,000 for operations and $35,000 for new space. That would increase Schodack's annual library levy to about $719,000. The East Greenbush levy would decrease from the current $1,244,800 to an estimated $939,200.

Chart: CURRENT TAX LEVY FOR LIBRARIES
Graphic representation omitted; see full report

Option 3 Develop a Schodack Town Library

The Town's position as an unserved area creates significant disadvantages. First, the community can only indirectly control library expenditures because the budgets are defined by the contracted Library Boards and residents cannot serve on either Nassau or East Greenbush Boards by charter. Whether Town residents can serve of the Castleton Village Library Board is unclear at this time, Second, service could be terminated at any UHLAN member libraries if they determined that a service disparity exists with Schodack patrons. Third, there are many indications that library services represent a major value of and priority for this community. 54% of those polled by Siena Research said they visited a library within the last month. A library district provides a focus and a direction and through an elected library board, a public face for that priority.

Development of a Schodack Town Library should be less costly than consolidation with East Greenbush, and its incorporation will maintain access to the services provided by Nassau and East Greenbush. If available resources are used for a start-up facility, these costs can be minimized further while the planning is undertaken to develop a Town Library which would meet the Town's needs. In any event, the Castleton Public Library would continue to operate on Main Street in the Village. The space problems presently confronted by the Castleton Library must be addressed.

A likely scenario would be to continue existing funding to all three presently funded libraries for a fixed time period while a library district initiative is put forward. If the district is approved, the near term solution would continue the current Castleton Library funding and would use part of its existing collection as the seed for stocking the new Town Hall library. The 2600 square feet available at the new Town Hall could be renovated for library use, as well as making existing meeting space there available for library programs. The additional development cost to the taxpayer would be limited to the cost of renovation, new furniture and computer hardware. A book and electronic media donation campaign would begin. The cost of hiring a fully qualified librarian must be added once a library district is established. That space, plus the 1,222 square feet now used in Village Hall would provide overall square footage equivalent to North Greenbush Library and larger than Nassau Free Library. Once the district is established, a library board is elected to guide further materials acquisition, fund raising, and future development. The Siena Institute Survey shows that residents are prepared to pay for "full service" libraries (62% versus 26%) but did not show readiness to build a dedicated library at this time (50% agree vs 40% disagree.)

Creating a Library District would allow Town residents to have a voice with respect to library services and to chart their own course in this regard, something presently unavailable to residents. Schodack's goal should not be to replicate the East Greenbush Community Library, recognizing that a regional library exists just outside its border. Instead the goal should be to provide the level of library service offered in nearby towns such as West Sand Lake and North Greenbush which are reasonably comparable communities.

Chart: POSSIBLE IMPACT OF OPTION 3 ON LEVY FOR LIBRARY SERVICES
Graphic representations omitted; see full report

Recommendations

8. Schodack should take control over its own fate by chartering a town-wide library and moving to create a town-wide library district.

9. Schodack should act to use and strengthen available library resources within the town because the community clearly uses and values public libraries.

10. Regardless of the option chosen, residents should expect to pay more for services because we currently can not control contract costs and costs will be incurred as we create a reasonable service level within the Town.

11. The preferred alternative involves re-chartering the Castleton library - the only service library within town borders - retaining much of its operation within the village, but using part of its collection to "seed" a new location in Town Hall. The Castleton Public Library should continue in the Village as a branch of a town library reflecting the significant use of that facility.

12. Schodack's goal should not be to replicate the East Greenbush Community Library, recognizing that a regional library exists just outside its border. Instead the goal should be to provide the level of library service offered in nearby towns such as West Sand Lake and North Greenbush which are reasonably comparable communities

13. Schodack should "out-source" part of its library service for the next three years because significant numbers of its residents will continue to use the East Greenbush Library, and others reside in the Village of Nassau. Actions to strengthen library services within the town cannot be fairly evaluated before that. In 2010 the contracts should be reviewed and the usage data reanalyzed to decide if they should continue and at what level.

14. The Town Board should immediately appoint a steering committee with the following responsibilities: direct the information program leading to a district vote, conduct major fund raising, create an endowment program, and act until a library board is elected.

Report to the Town Board and to the Community, Final Draft

Executive Summary

Introduction and History