OLEAN — Olean Public Library staff and board members have given their best efforts to highlight the value of the institution in the community — soon it will come down to voters in the Olean area to make their decision on a new library budget and expansion of the facility at 134 N. 2nd St.

With voting set for Thursday at the library, its proposed $2.06 million budget for the new fiscal year and a bond vote for a proposed $7.9 million library expansion project are on the ballot, as well as one library trustee seat, with Mike Morgan the lone candidate. Voting is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Michelle La Voie, director of the library, said Tuesday that she, her staff and the board members “are feeling very optimistic” about the prospects for the vote. “We’re received a lot of positive feedback about what we are trying to do here. … I think in regard to the capital project people are understanding that this is something that is needed; there’s an overall agreement that it’s time.”

With expenses increasing, the proposed operating budget on the ballot includes a property tax increase of 28.9% to raise more than $325,000. La Voie has explained the tax increase would be about $42 for the year on a property assessed at $75,000. OPL’s taxes are included as a line on Olean City School District property tax bills.

Wages have increased steadily in New York state while La Voie is also planning some new positions, including adding a full-time children’s library assistant to complement the full-time position of children’s coordinator. She has noted that the children’s department is busier than it’s been in several years.

La Voie also points out that, as the library has seen an increase in usage, since 2018 there has been a need for security staffing in the building, while she has explained that OPL essentially serves as a “county library,” a higher-use facility that must remain open for far more hours than most small-community libraries.

The proposed budget calls for $376,000 for heating, ventilation and air conditioning upgrades; as well as $91,500 to renovate the restroom facilities. Both projects aim to work on systems dating back to the 1970s when the building was converted from a grocery store into the library. State aid and existing reserves will cover the capital work.

The budget sees an increase in state aid — with $253,000 for the HVAC project and $69,000 for restroom construction. In addition, the library plans to use $145,000 in capital reserves — funds previously set aside by the library board for construction work — to fund the balance of the projects.

Library usage can benefit a household’s financial bottom line, La Voie has noted. With streaming videos, Netflix series on DVD and downloadable e-books and audiobooks, patrons could save at least $65 per year by using  resources at the library.

OPL notes that there were 10% more visitors in 2024 than in 2019, attendance at library programming is up 36% in that time and overall borrowing figures at the library have also increased. The points to the need for the proposed $7.9 million project to expand the library with a partial second floor through a bond issuance.

OPL officials had explored several options for providing more space for visitors and public events, with the goal of making the library a better fit for current community needs and creating safer conditions for large programs. The board chose a concept that will add approximately 7,500 square feet to the current facility, including a partial second story that will house a technology “creation” space and separate reading lounge.

The project would be financed with a bond sale through the New York State Dormitory Authority. If the bond sale is approved, beginning in 2027 homeowners in the school district with a property assessed at $75,000 would see a total tax increase of about $65 per year.

“We’re hoping that people will come out and vote to support it,” La Voie said, while pointing to the role OPL plays as a meeting place, events center for children and adults, a safe and welcoming after-school stop for children and access to WI-FI and computers for many in the community.

ACTIVITIES PLANNED THURSDAY

Events are planned Thursday at the library as well, including Planting Flowers with Percy & Pups, a opportunity to hang out with Percy, the miniature pony, and OPL’s loveable, cuddly therapy dogs at 3:30 p.m.

Decorate a pot and plant some flowers. Enjoy some punch and “pup-corn” with Percy and the Pups. There will be fun activities, photo ops and book giveaways as well.