The Montgomery Free Library has long served residents in the Montgomery area, but after cutting hours and a price increase in books, they’re asking the board for financial help.

Currently the library is receiving $27,5000 in funding, which Library Director Betsy Comizio said isn’t viable anymore. “It’s just not enough to keep the library going,” said Comizio.

The library is asking for $60,000 from the Village and Town of Montgomery in funding in order to keep the library going after unsuccessfully searching for other forms of funds. Comizio also mentioned that they cannot rely on donations.

“A lot of people think that we get the books for free,” said Comizio, who said book prices have doubled recently. “They don’t even realize you have to buy all of these things.”

The library, which is considered an “association” library since it is privately controlled but acts as a public library per state definition, will suffer many losses if they don’t get the required funding to keep going.

“We can’t have programming, we’d have to cut hours and provide less services,” said Comizio, who also mentions that the worst case would be the library closing.

They have already cut down their hours and are doing their best to stay afloat despite being the least funded library in the Ramapo Catskill Library System (RCLS), according to Comizio. She also noted that even though they receive the least funding, they don’t receive the least in circulation.

“We’ve tried very hard to keep the library going with very little money,” said Comizio.

The library is also trying to have more storytimes, art programs and even adult programs, but cannot consider it without having the money.

“Our job is to say ‘What can we do to provide services,’” Comizio mentioned.

After Mayor Stephen Brescia read the letter, he stated he’s been talking with Town of Montgomery Supervisor Ron Feller who is looking to do more. Brescia also mentioned the village board is looking into what they can do.

“That’s a big ask,”Brescia said of the $60,000 request. “We’ll look and see what we can do.”

Comizio stated that some library board members planned to attend the town board meeting on Tuesday, February 14.

“It’s time to step up,” Comizio added.