Kingston Library will hold its annual tax levy vote and Trustee election on Tuesday, September 16, 2025.

The September 16th library election will be held from 10am to 8pm at Kingston Library temporary location at 61 Crown Street which is the sole polling place for voting. Absentee ballots have been sent to the permanent mail ballot list in the city of Kingston or can be requested by picking one up in person at 61 Crown St. or by contacting the library directly at 845.331.0507. Absentee ballots must be returned to the library by 5:00 p.m. September 17, 2024. All registered voters living in the City of Kingston are eligible to vote.

At the September 16th election, voters will be electing three Trustees to the 9-member Kingston Library Board of Trustees each for a term of three years. The candidates running for those seats are incumbents Laura Brown, Gerard Harrington, and Lisa Lerner.

Laura Brown is a researcher, avid reader and lifelong lover of libraries. She has served as a Kingston Library trustee for the past three years and is enthusiastic about continuing to contribute to the Kingston community and ensuring that the library remains a vital center in our diverse community. She believes in the power of all residents having free and equal access to all that the library has to offer. Laura lives in the Rondout neighborhood with her wife and toddler.

Gerard (Gerry) Harrington cares deeply about living in our great city. He is proud to volunteer as a Kingston Library trustee. In this role, he helps the library inspire lifelong learning and expand knowledge. He also does his part to help the library strengthen the community. Other volunteer roles: He was on the Live Well Kingston Commission. He was also on the Ulster Performing Arts Center board of directors. Gerry runs the monthly Movies With Spirit community film series. He started it in 2006. Gerry has lived in Kingston since 1987. He has been a Kingston Library patron since 1984.

Lisa Lerner is a writer and teacher of writing and loves nothing more than helping someone find their voice and tell their story. Libraries have always been her favorite place and this summer as part of the MHLS Road Trip she has visited 31 of them with plans to visit 39 more by October! She is a deep believer in the power of community and is proud to be serving on the Kingston Library board, volunteering for Kingston Common Futures, and adjudicating for the annual Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. Her other memberships include The Writers Grotto, The Author’s Guild, and the Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. She was born and raised in upstate New York and has been happily living in Kingston since 2021.

Also on the ballot is a proposition to seek approval of a tax appropriation of $1,231,147 to support the operation of Kingston Library in 2026. The $1,231,147 tax appropriation request is a 6% increase over the 2025 appropriation of $1,161,460 for a total increase of $69,687.

The primary budget areas that are being increased are materials and programs for all ages, computers and technology, and insurances. Increases in utility costs have been mitigated by the library receiving electric credits from the Radio Kingston Community Solar Array. Other expenses have been held steady where possible.