Don’t let the library district be dissolved

Dear Editor: Most Woodstockers are in agreement that we need to build a better library and are willing to pay an extra $5 a month to make that happen.

The Library Board of Trustees (an elected body) decided that the physical library has reached a tipping point -- it would be unwise to add on (for the seventh time) or renovate.

They plan to to build new (“green” & ADA compliant) while preserving the lawn and the only historical part left -the 1812 facade. They would also reinstall the original 1700s mantle.

A group of people oppose this plan (“no teardown”) and have initiated a petition that, if successful, would force the voters of Woodstock into a referendum: Should the Woodstock Public Library District be dissolved?

Since 1990, the library has been a public library district, which is the best method of securing sustainable funding in New York state. The voters of Woodstock elect (or defeat) eleven trustees (in staggered elections) and vote yes or no on the yearly budget.

If the referendum passes and the library is dissolved, most people (including the petitioners) assume that the library would be taken over by the town. But there is no plan other than keeping or dissolving the current system.

The petitioners feel that the trustees have ignored the wishes of the public and that the voters should be heard with the referendum.

But if the petition is successful and we have a referendum, the opposite will be true. If you are a Woodstock voter, you will be trading one opportunity to vote (referendum) for a lifetime of opportunities to vote every year (trustee & budget elections).

The trustees are committed to finding every available source of funding (grants, large private donations) to offset the public bond to build new. This will be yet another opportunity to let your voice be heard. If at that point you are still in opposition to building new, vote against the bond.

It’s a difficult and emotional issue for many Woodstockers. It’s personal. Many people grew up with this library and don’t want to see it change.

But the front entrance that we all know, built in 1967, replaced the original 1770s house. The library grew as Woodstock did, as the quest for knowledge and community increased. The building doesn’t serve as reminder of the past; it just is what it is, which is to serve the community of today.

We have an amazing opportunity to create the next version of our library.

It’s really about the people, programs & books inside the building anyway and not the physical building.

I strongly advise against the petition/referendum. Don’t abdicate your rights as a citizen of Woodstock. Michael Hunt Woodstock