How is our library funded?
In 2026, the budget of the Library totals $1,018,000. This includes expenses for library staffing, utilities, programming, and growing and maintaining the Library’s collections, including physical materials, e-resources, and historical archives. The Library’s income includes $564,905 in public funds:
- $400,000 from Hudson;
- $95,000 from Greenport; and
- about $69,900 from other government sources (including a grant of $49,500 from the New York State Council on the Arts and approximately $8,200 from Columbia County through the Columbia County Libraries Association).
The other 45% of the Library’s income is raised through grants, donations, and fundraising events.
The November 2026 ballot in Greenport and Hudson will contain community-based funding proposals, setting Greenport’s contribution at $125,000 and Hudson’s contribution at $450,000.
Currently, our library receives around 48% of our funding from community-based support in Hudson (39%) and Greenport (9%). Other comparable libraries in our region receive between 77% and 96% of their funding from their municipalities. If the Greenport and Hudson funding initiatives are approved, about 51% of our funding will come from these sources.
What is a community based funding initiative?
- Chapter 414 of the laws of 1995 (Education Law 259(1)(b)) in New York State allows libraries to place a funding proposition on a municipal ballot.
- Propositions for community-based funding initiatives are found on the back of the ballot during the general election in November.
- If approved, the amount set by a funding initiative is collected by the city/town and contributed to the library annually.
- The amount of the contribution, once approved, remains the same until the library brings a new funding proposition before the voters.
What is on the ballot in Greenport this November?
- Proposal One, a community-based funding proposition for the Library, will be on the back of the ballot in Greenport this November.
- If approved, Greenport will contribute $125,000 annually to the Library, an increase of $30,000.
- This amount will be covered by the town’s property taxes, and will add 3 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value.
- For a home assessed at $400,000, it will cost less than one paperback book per year to provide the library with this increase in funding.
What is on the ballot in Hudson this November?
- Proposal One, a community-based funding proposition for the Library, will be on the back of the ballot in Hudson this November.
- If approved, Hudson will contribute $450,000 annually to the Library, an increase of $50,000.
- This amount will be covered by the town’s property taxes, and will add less than 1 cent per $1,000 of assessed property value.
- For a home assessed at $400,000, it will cost less than a latte per year to provide the library with this increase in funding.
When and where can I vote?
2026 Election Day Schedule & Locations:
Tuesday, November 3, 2026, 6am – 9pm
On Election Day, Greenport residents vote at either Greenport Town Hall (600 Town Hall Drive) or Columbia-Greene Community College (4400 Route 23), depending on their voting district. Click here to find your polling location.
On Election Day, Hudson residents of Wards 1-3 vote at the Columbia County Board of Elections (11 Warren Street) and residents of Wards 4 and 5 vote at the Hudson Central Fire Station (77 North 7th Street). Click here to find your polling location.
2026 Early Voting Locations:
Eligible voters in Columbia County can vote early at either early voting location.
- Columbia County Board of Elections, 11 Warren Street, Suite 1, Hudson, NY 12534
- Martin H. Glynn Municipal Building, 3211 Church Street, Valatie, NY 12184
2026 Early Voting Schedule:
- Saturday, October 24: 9am – 5pm
- Sunday, October 25: 9am – 5pm
- Monday, October 26: 9am – 5pm
- Tuesday, October 27: 12pm – 8pm
- Wednesday, October 28: 12pm – 8pm
- Thursday, October 29: 9am – 5pm
- Friday, October 30: 9am – 5pm
- Saturday, October 31: 9am – 5pm
- Sunday, November 1: 9am – 5pm