Bob Joseph/WNBF News
Bob Joseph/WNBF News
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The Fenton Free Library will receive a revenue boost if Chenango Valley School District voters approve a tax levy proposition next month.

The plan would add $85,000 to the annual operating budget for the library on Chenango Street in Hillcrest.

Bob Joseph/WNBF News
Bob Joseph/WNBF News
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The proposition will be voted on May 20 as a separate measure on the ballot with the school district's proposed budget.

Library director Korin Spencer says in 2011, the facility lost about 70 percent of the funding it received from Broome County.

Spencer says the library's operating hours were reduced because of the funding cut.

Bob Joseph/WNBF News
Bob Joseph/WNBF News
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Speaking on WNBF Radio's Binghamton Now program, Spencer said the library could acquire equipment to improve the services offered to users if the tax levy is approved.

Under the plan, the owner of a house with an assessed valuation of $100,000 would pay $11.90 a year to support the library.

Informational meetings on the proposition will be held April 24 and May 15 at 7 p.m. The sessions will be held at the library.

The library describes itself as the "heart of the community." It's located in the Moody Memorial Building, which once was a family home. The comfortable environment serves a meeting place for nearby residents.

The library also features something seldom seen these days: a card catalog. Spencer said while the library hopes to install a computerized system to serve users in the future, the card catalog will remain.

 

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