INCLAIRVILLE — A proposition that will be on the Cassadaga Valley Central School District on May 21 could provide needed funding to support libraries within the communities of the District.

Through New York State Education Law 259, local libraries can propose funding on school district ballots. Three libraries have done so in the Cassadaga Valley Central School District: Mary E. Seymour Memorial Library of Stockton, Cassadaga Branch Library of Cassadaga, and Sinclairville Free Library of Sinclairville.

The three libraries serve a total of eight townships. With rising costs related to staffing, library expenditures, and building maintenance, the libraries are in need of additional assistance. Currently, the three libraries operate with 30% to 35% of their annual budgets coming from municipal support. Library staff and the Board of Directors are tasked each year with securing other funds from grants, fundraisers, and donations. With grant funding becoming even more competitive and donations not guaranteed, the stress on each library has only increased.

These three libraries provide valuable and exclusive services to the communities they serve including storytimes, book clubs, open access to technology, knitting groups, writing clubs, fly-tying club, and chess club, among many other perks. Additionally, the three libraries offer meeting places for community groups as well as preservation of historical artifacts from the area. A library card at any of these libraries gives the owner access to materials in 38 libraries in the Chautauqua Cattaraugus Library System.

The request on the ballot May 21 is for a total of $130,000 to be raised for the three libraries from taxes levied on property owners in the Cassadaga Valley Central School District. The vote will take place from 1 to 8 p.m. in the Cassadaga Valley High School gymnasium.

The library websites include a link, through the Vote Info Tab, to which residents can calculate the amount assessed on their property that will be earmarked for the libraries. Visit stocktonlibraries.org or sinclairvillelibrary.org for more information.