Deposit Free Library

When Deposit School District voters receive their paper ballots for this year’s budget vote, they will notice an extra proposition from the Deposit Free Library. In addition to voting on the 2020-21 school budget and bus purchases, voters will be given the opportunity to decide on an increase in financial support for our local library.

We have posted lots of pertinent information in the drop down menus at the top of this page under the heading: 2020 School District Vote Information.

We consciously made the choice not to go back to the voters for annual increases, as many libraries do because we didn’t want the taxpayers to feel we were constantly asking for more money. However, in addition to rising costs, the library has lost two regular sources of income: Broome County stopped funding our library in 2018 and the BOOKS program, begun by Senator Thomas Libous many years ago, has been eliminated. The library is proposing an increase from $55,000 to $65,000 a year.

The Covid-19 pandemic has turned everything upside down. We would like the public to know that plans for this proposition were put into place many months before the pandemic hit. We had planned to hold a public meeting to answer any questions from voters. Unfortunately, that could not happen. Anyone with questions is invited to call the library at 467-2577 and leave a message or email de.deborah@4cls.org. Our director, Deb Stever, or any board member would be happy to answer your questions.

Please know we are making every effort to be ready to open as soon as we receive the ok from the state/county government. We thank you in advance for your continued support during this uncertain time.

The Deposit Free Library takes the health of our community very seriously.  Following the States of Emergency declared by the counties, state, and federal government, we have made the difficult decision to close our building for a period of time.

We will be open this week, March 17, noon to 8 p.m. and March 18 noon to 6 p.m.  Library use will be limited to check out of materials only.  Computer workstations will not be available for public use.

Thursday and Friday, March 19-20, patrons can call the library between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. with specific book requests.  Books will be pulled, checked out, and packed for curbside pickup on those 2 days only.

The library will be closed from Thursday, March 19 through Tuesday, March 31. All programs will be suspended until further notice.   We will reassess the situation at that time.

All fines for overdue items will be waived while the library is closed.  The book drop will be open and checked during the closure should you wish to return materials.

The Four County Library System has suspended holds and deliveries of items from other libraries until further notice.  Holds that are listed as ready for pickup will be held at the library until reopening.

While our building may not be open, our online resources are available 24/7. This includes e-books, e-magazines, and e-audio books through the 4cls website and corresponding apps for your personal devices.  for the Libby and Flipster Apps on your device’s App Store. All of these resources are free with your library card. If you have any problems connecting, please feel free to call the library and leave a message.  Our librarian will return your call to assist you.

Library WiFi will remain available to patrons from outside the building using your personal devices.  Please be respectful of our grounds while using WiFi outside the building.

Please remember to check our Facebook page and website (www.depositfreelibrary.org) often for further information and updates.

This decision was made after much careful consideration. The health and safety of our community is of the utmost importance to us.  Stay safe, and keep reading at home!

Sincerely,
Staff and Board of Trustees of the Deposit Free Library

Calling all Lego lovers!  Mrs. Armstrong is holding Lego Club on Saturday, February 22nd.  Please join us at 1:30 p.m.  We have a large collection of Legos that can be used to create some really fantastic structures.  Anyone from age 7 to 14 is welcome to join the building fun.  Your creations will be displayed in the lobby for everyone to enjoy.  See you then!

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