WESTFIELD — After nearly a year of discussion, Westfield Academy and Central School Board members had their questions and concerns regarding the district’s annual contribution to Patterson Library resolved at their meeting Feb. 8.

Joan Caruso, president of the Patteson Library Board of Directors, attended the meeting via ZOOM and shared with board members the many services the library provides to children and young adults, in conjunction with the school.

“The library is an essential resource in our community,” said Wendy Dyment, board president. “Patterson is a gem. We are fortunate to have this relationship between the school district and the library.”

Caruso told the board that the saying, “It takes a village to raise a child,” has been acknowledged by the district since 1932 when its financial support of the library began. In 1972, the amount of the district’s annual donation was set at $11,000. The district has contributed this amount each year since that time.

“The district’s investment in the Patterson programs has remained the same since 1972,” Caruso said. “It is not our intention to ask for more money.”

Board member Thomas Tarpley asked last year how the $11,000 figure is determined. The issue was raised at several subsequent meetings and, each time, board members affirmed how much Westfield students depend on Patterson Library.

At its Nov. 9 meeting, the board again discussed the district’s customary contribution of $11,000 to the library. Board member Deanne Manzilla noted that the district’s contribution has been $11,000 for more than a decade.

“I think we’re lucky that we’ve been able to do the $11,000 and not have to go through a complicated formula for it,” she said.

Manzilla also noted how beneficial the library is to the district.

“They’re a good, safe place and they’ve reached out to the students doing remote learning,” she said.

At the Dec. 14 board meeting, in response to Tarpley’s question about whether the donation needs to be approved by voters, Superintendent Michael Cipolla explained that Education Law 259 governs library taxes. It also provides public libraries in New York state with the ability to place funding propositions on a school district ballot. Furthermore, if a library seeks changes, that goes on the districts’ ballot, Cipolla said.

At the Jan. 11 meeting, Tarpley told fellow board members he was raising the issue at this point because he wants to make sure WACS is following state law.

“And we have a library here. Can some of the money be diverted to our own library?” he asked. “Also, what are we gaining for our $11,000?”

Board member Steve Cockram, who was board president when the matter first came up in March 2020, noted that, as long as the amount remains the same, the item does not need to be put up to a vote, but if the library should request an increase, then it must be added as a separate proposition in May.

In her presentation, Caruso stressed the library’s dedication to children and youth.

“Would you like to know what you get for your $11,000? she said.

Caruso related that, in 2020, the library held 43 young adult sessions with 195 attendees; 212 childrens’ programs with a cumulative attendance of 3,607; and the birth to school programs presented 135 sessions with 1,702 participatations.

“One of our most popular and important programs, the childrens’ summer reading program, had 18 sessions with 672 participations in the summer of 2019,” Caruso said. “Teachers and parents who are aware of the program know the value of it.”

Caruso told board members that the library has more than 15,000 childrens’ books, has access to the Chautauqua-Cattarugus Library System, continues to provide stories for children (online) and creates craft bags for kids to pick up and complete at home.

Caruso also noted how Helen Ihasz and Kent Knappenburger, Westfield music teachers, have both presented concerts in the reading room of teh library and found it to be an excellent venue. Additionally, the library staff are often called upon to help students with their research projects.

“How can one possibly put a price on their help?” she asked.

Caruso also spoke to the board about what might ahappen if the library did not receive the $11,000 from the district. The loss of it could eliminate the position of the senior childrens’ librarian, could eliminate the summer reading program or the entire print book budget line, she said.

“It is your library, too. Might I suggest that a visit or call to the director might have eliminated the need for all this,” Caruso said. “If you doubt that the $11,000 in your budget is well spent, come and visit us.”

Cockram thanked Caruso and summarized the sentiments of his fellow board members.

“It was good to have this discussion with Patterson Library,” he said. “We’ve been giving them $11,000 for a long time, maybe it’s time to increase it.”