The Erie County Legislature unanimously voted to support and stabilize funding to the Buffalo and Erie County Public Libraries by approving a local law making the Library Protection Act permanent December 14.

The Library Protection Act, which was instituted in 1992 and has been renewed by the County Legislature, takes the funds the County Legislature approves for library funding in its annual budget and sets them out separately on real property tax notices as the "amount for library purposes." These funds cannot be changed or withheld by the county "except that the trustees of the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library shall not authorize, without the prior approval of the County Legislature, the transfer of any appropriation from one branch or contract library to another which would necessitate the closing of any branch or contract library."

"Voters and residents have consistently told the County Legislature that they believe library funding is vital to the quality of life in Erie County," Legislator Robert B. Reynolds Jr. (D-Hamburg) said. "This local law will permanently assure that the funds approved in the annual county budget for library services will actually go to the library."

"The Buffalo and Erie County Public Libraries should be able to operate the libraries to the best of their abilities and with some certainty, knowing that the funds the County Legislature approves for them will not suddenly be reduced or withheld," Legislator Reynolds said. "This will allow library officials to plan in both the short and long-term the functions and future of the libraries."

The local law will take effect January 1, 2007. A public hearing on the Library Protection Act local law was held by County Legislator Michele M. Iannello (D-Kenmore) and the Community Enrichment Committee.

Back to District 12 Homepage