Cohoes Residents Advocate for Library Budget Increase Amid Concerns

COHOES, New York — Citizens gathered on Tuesday evening for a public hearing regarding the proposed budget for 2026, with the allocation for the Cohoes Public Library taking center stage. Residents expressed their concerns about what they perceive as insufficient funding for the library amid plans for a new facility set to open in 2027.

During the hearing, Library Board of Trustees Member Anne Rappaport-Berliner emphasized the need for increased support, stating, “We’d really love to continue supporting the library and doing everything that we can. At this point, the money is just not totally there.” Despite a modest increase of 1.26%, bringing the total budget to $122,590, library trustees highlighted a shortfall of approximately $9,000 needed for staffing.

Mayor Bill Keeler acknowledged the city’s efforts to support the library but noted that the city does not “micromanage” its budget. Instead, decisions on budget allocations and line items rest with the library itself. Keeler assured attendees that the budget would need further adjustments as the library transitions to its new location.

Many expressed gratitude for the budget increase, but concerns lingered about the library’s ability to maintain operations. Sharon Mitchell, Secretary of the Friends of the Cohoes Public Library, shared a statement from a fellow resident highlighting that the library cannot draw from other budget lines. The library is currently preparing for moving costs and restoration of materials, which adds to its financial pressures.

The Cohoes Public Library operates with six part-time and one full-time employee, adhering to state regulations requiring two staff members at the circulation desk at all times. This requirement, set by the New York State Department of Education, mandates the library remain open for at least 40 hours a week to retain its charter. Mitchell warned that the proposed budget may compel the library to reduce its hours, which could jeopardize its operational status.

Currently, the library is situated in a satellite office connected to the Cohoes Senior Center, a temporary solution due to structural issues with its previous location at St. John’s Episcopal Church. The library is set to move into the former Cohoes Savings Bank in 2027, pending renovations. Limited space at the satellite office has forced the library to pay for climate-controlled storage for books and materials, which costs approximately $1,000 monthly.

Barbara Hildreth, President of the Cohoes Public Library Board of Trustees, previously stated that the library requested an additional $12,000 for maintenance, yet the proposed budget maintains the same allocation of $25,000 as in 2025. Rappaport-Berliner highlighted that the storage costs cannot be absorbed within the existing library budget, which is already strained.

Community members proposed various solutions, including suggestions to utilize funds from the city’s rainy day reserve or to explore volunteer staffing options. However, Keeler emphasized the importance of reserving those funds for future emergencies and mentioned other pressing city projects, such as repairs to the Central Avenue Firehouse, which also requires significant funding.

While the city council seeks to balance competing interests and budgetary demands, Keeler reassured attendees that they are committed to supporting the library. “We have all competing interests, we have all the competing advocates, and we do the best we can,” he said. “No one here is anti-library.”

As discussions continue, the community remains hopeful that their advocacy will lead to a more sustainable budget for the Cohoes Public Library, ensuring its vital role in the community is preserved for years to come.