Library Updates

As a reminder we are still offering curbside service and lobby pick up.

Due to rising COVID cases in our region and county, starting Monday, August 30, 2021, face masks are required to be worn inside the library, regardless of vaccination status. This change is in line with CDC Guidance for indoor public spaces in areas of substantial or high transmission.

If you are unable to properly wear a face covering, call the library at 585-657-6264, BEFORE visiting, to set up reasonable accommodations.

Contact-less Lobby Pick Up Service is also available. Place items on hold either online or by contacting the library. When you receive notice that your items are available, contact us to have your items wrapped and put in our lobby for you to pick up.

Thank you for your understanding!

The Bloomfield Public Library is asking residents of the Bloomfield Central School District to vote on the library’s 2021-2022 funding. The library is asking voters to vote on a $179,800 tax levy, which represents a $8,050 increase from the 2020-2021 fiscal year.  In order to maintain the current level of library services and to plan for the future, the library needs to be able to keep up with the necessary COVID-19-related safety precautions and State mandated wage increases.

Details for the 2021-2022 Bloomfield Public Library Budget can be found here:

If the vote PASSES, what can be expected?

• The library will continue to purchase new materials, including bestsellers, movies, ebooks, Teen and Children’s materials, and magazines.
• The library will be able to maintain and expand offerings of programming events and classes for all ages, including early literacy and summer reading programs.
• The library will maintain the current level of computer and internet access, tutoring, and meeting room availability.

If the Vote FAILS, what can be expected?

• Fewer new books, ebooks, movies, and magazines will be purchased.
• Longer wait times on hold items.
• The library’s service hours will be reduced.
• Programing events and classes will be cut for adults, teens, and children and technology help may be reduced.
• Computer and internet access, tutoring and meeting room availability may all be negatively impacted

The proposed budget enables us to continue serving the Bloomfield community in a fiscally responsible manner, while reflecting our mission to educate and enrich by providing essential resources and opportunities.

---

Trustee Election

There are three candidate names on the ballot for four open Bloomfield Public Library Board of Trustees seats. The Board of Trustees is a policy-making body that guides the development of the library and its services. Elected Trustees serve on the Board for terms of 3-years. The names of the three candidates are as follows:

• Karen Steiner
• Amy Williams
• Sarah Didas

Resolutions

Resolutions for the Library’s budget and trustee election will be included in the Bloomfield Central School District vote. A copy of these resolutions is available here:

---

Important Dates

• Tuesday, May 11, 2021, at 7 pm – Bloomfield Public Library’s 2021-2022 Budget Presentation will be held virtually via GoToMeeting. Contact the library for details on attending.
• Tuesday, May 18, 2021 from 7am-8pm – Bloomfield Central School District Vot in the MS/HS Back Gallery.

Our Mission:

The mission of the Bloomfield Public Library is to educate and enrich the community by providing resources and opportunities for gathering, learning, connecting, innovating, and accessing information.

Charging overdue fines for print materials and audio books places limits on the usage of these materials that inhibits our ability to fulfill this pledge and discourages library use.

What does “fine free” mean?

• Fines are charged for overdue library materials. “Fine free” refers to eliminating the fees charged for returning print materials and audio books after their due date.
• As of April 1, 2020, print materials and audio books checked out at the Bloomfield Public Library will no longer incur overdue fines.
• Print materials and audio books will still be assigned a 3-week loan period, and patrons should continue to renew items to extend loan periods. Materials that are eligible will be automatically renewed. Items without holds can be renewed twice.
• Lost and damaged fees still apply. Items that are overdue more than eight (8) weeks are automatically marked lost.
• With approval from the library’s Director, patrons may choose to replace lost or damaged materials themselves with identical items.
• This policy change does not apply to overdue fines for DVDs, Blu-Ray, and video games.
• The library will continue to charge small fees for printing, photocopying, and faxing services.

Why is the library eliminating overdue fines for print materials and audio books?

• Charging overdue fines for print materials and audio books does not support the library’s mission of providing opportunities to all members of the community.
• Overdue fines disproportionately affect low-income families, adding another barrier to library use.
• Research shows no difference in overdue rates between libraries charging overdue fines and libraries not charging overdue fines.

Why am I still accruing overdue fines on my library account?

• Items checked out or renewed at other OWWL libraries are subject to that library’s circulation policies and may accrue overdue fines.
• Movies and video games checked out at the Bloomfield Public Library will still accrue overdue fines at $1.00 per day, with a maximum fine of $5.00.
• We cannot waive overdue fines for items owed to other libraries or waive fees for lost or damaged materials.
• Patrons with economic hardship or special circumstances that make it difficult to pay already accrued fines or for lost/damaged materials are encouraged to speak to the library’s Director.

Doesn’t the library need overdue fine money to run the library?

• Overdue fines make up a very small part of the library’s budget and have been trending downward in recent years. Since the beginning of the pandemic and the 2020, overdue fines at the Bloomfield Public Library have been waived. This has not had any discernable effect on the library budget.
• The library actually incurs expenses to collect overdue fines, including staff time collecting fines, staff time handling fine disputes, and billing postage.
• The majority of the library’s funding comes from the school district tax levy and donations.

The purpose of our library is to supply the Bloomfield community with resources that can be borrowed for education and enrichment. We believe removing overdue fines for print materials and audio books will promote literacy and increases access to the Bloomfield Public Library.

For more information on your library account, please visit the library staff at the Service Desk. Final decisions regarding patron accounts are made at the discretion of the Director.

updated 3/16/2021

Bloomfield Public Library is currently seeking interested community members, to support the library and run for Library Board Trustee in the 2021 election.

Three Trustee seats, for a three-year term each, are up for election this year. There is an additional seat up for election for a new Trustee to fill an unexpired term ending in June 2022.

Candidates running for Trustee positions at the 2021 election must be residents of Bloomfield Central School District, U.S. citizens, and at least 18 years of age.

What does it take to be a Trustee? Check out the Trustee Position Description document below:

Ready to become a Trustee Candidate? Election packets can be accessed below:

Questions? Call 585-657-6264, to speak with Margo Prak, Library Director or email bloomfieldlibrarydirector@owwl.org