The Sharon Springs Free Library will be asking voters for a $5,000 show of support when they go to the polls in November.
Included on the ballot will be a referendum to increase the library's budget of $38,000 a year to $43,000.
Library Director Mary Ellen Wolfe said library funding hasn't increased since the first referendum in 2002-even though expenses have skyrocketed and use of the library has tripled.
"We get people from all over. With the economy, a lot of them have given up things like internet so they come in to use our computers," Ms. Wolfe said.
"They're filling out job applications online...or they've given up dish or cable so they're borrowing our movies. Everywhere, people are turning to their libraries and we're no different."
From 2002-2010, the library has:
• Increased its collection 35 percent.
• Seen attendance at programs, including the Summer Reading Program, writing workshops, and Teen Nights, double.
• Seen visitors and computer use triple and circulation almost double.
Like most libraries today, in addition to its book collections, the Sharon library offers public-access computers with printers, a FAX machine and copier, and inter-library loan.
The library's Community Room is also used by town and village offices, and just about every organization in Sharon, Ms. Wolfe said.
Ms. Wolfe said the increase will go toward keeping up with increases in things like heat and electricity, maintenance, equipment upkeep and replacement, books, DVDs, CDs and programs.
If approved, the increase is expected to cost the owner of a property valued at $125,000 less than $5 a year.