Have you ever wondered why the Claverack Free Library asks for donations?

You may be surprised by how little of your local taxes go toward funding library operations. The Claverack Library is an association library; it must raise a significant portion of the annual budget from sources other than the government.

The Town of Claverack’s 2026 adopted budget is $4,936,057; in addition, the Claverack Library will receive $111,000 from the Town, for a total of $5,047,057. The Library will receive 2.2% of town appropriations. Any increase in funding from the Town must be approved by public vote.

Additionally, in 2026 the library will receive approximately $6,106 from Columbia County via the Columbia County Libraries Association, $1,400 from the State of New York, and $3,000 from the Town of Taghkanic.

This brings the total public revenue for the Claverack Library to $121,506. It places the library at the lowest level of local tax funding per capita of all the libraries in Columbia County.

With the Library’s 2026 operating budget set at $284,470, total public receipts offset only 42.7% of the annual costs. The difference of $162,964 must be raised through grants, fund raising events, and the generosity of residents and area businesses.

Since October 2019, when the library moved into its new building – free of debt and expending no local tax money – operating costs have risen. With the addition of two new and expanded part-time jobs since, the 2026 operating budget includes personnel related increases, as well as additional operating expenses for utilities and maintenance.

Today, every donation goes directly to the library’s operating budget to assure that it continues to serve our community well into the future.

Thank you for your generous support!