The Lockport Public Library is asking voters to approve a slight increase to its operating budget for 2014-2015.

The $1,619,464 spending plan proposes a $10,610 increase over the 2013-2014 budget. Of the total spending, $1,397,747 would come from taxpayers. That increase is $21,627 more than the current year. The proposed tax levy increase is higher than the planned spending increase due to a $12,075 shortfall in other revenues.

Most budget line items in the proposed budget are lower than the current budget, with the primary exceptions being staff, benefits and insurance.

According to information provided by the library, in 2013:

• 212,118 people visited the library.
• 29,807 people have library cards.
• 415,690 items were borrowed.
• 20,777 reference questions were answered.
• 15,023 adults, children, teens, and families attended 871 library programs.

Voters within the Lockport City School District can have their questions about the budget answered Thursday evening during an informational session at 6:30 p.m. in the library's community meeting room — the same place they will be able to vote on the measure from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. April 24 in the library’s community meeting room.

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