Hello library supporters,
As you may or may not know, the Town of Tilton Budget Committee has decided to level-fund our budget for the upcoming year, meaning no increase from last year.
We respectfully believe this decision does not adequately reflect the significant achievements and community impact of the Hall Memorial Library. Our dedicated team has consistently gone above and beyond to serve our patrons, expanding our programming, promoting literacy, and fostering a vibrant center for learning and connection. Unfortunately, the Budget Committee's limited understanding of our library's operations and contributions was evident in their discussion of our initial budget proposal. We believe a closer examination of our detailed reports and program information would reveal the exceptional value we offer to the community at a minimal cost.
We are determined to advocate for our library's future. We will be presenting an amendment to this budget at the Tilton Town Meeting on Saturday, March 15th at 8am, and we sincerely hope you will consider joining us.
Your presence would provide invaluable support and amplify our concerns regarding the budget committee's insufficient allocation for the library. For your reference, here are some key points:
- We have two areas of increase this year:
- We would like to give the staff a Cost of living increase (~4%)
- Building and Grounds maintenance (the library is solely responsible for these and the costs add up quickly, luckily Northfield Public Works offered to plow our parking lot and sidewalks this winter so that is a savings of around $5,000)
- The library represents only 2.17% of the town's total budget, and our requested increase would raise that percentage to 2.44%.
We believe that investing in the Hall Memorial Library represents a wise and cost-effective investment in the future of our community. By fostering literacy, creativity, and lifelong learning, we contribute significantly to the well-being and growth of Tilton and its residents.
We appreciate your time and consideration, and if you have any questions or wish to discuss this matter further, please do not hesitate to contact me either by phone or email.
Thank you for your continued support of the Hall Memorial Library.
Brittany Shanahan
