Proposed 2011-2012 Library Budget Discussed at Library Board Meeting

The was host to April’s Massapequa Public Library Board Meeting this week and many topics were discussed, including the 2011-2012 budget.

The proposed budget that the board agreed upon at the meeting for 2011-2012 is $5,297,000. That is a 1.96 percent increase from the last budget.

People often don’t realize how small of a percentage the library budget is when paying their taxes, according to Trustee John H. Laibach.

“The school taxes and everything is $7,000 a year. But then if you say to them the library budget is only $300 or $400, they don’t realize that because they look at the bottom line, big picture,” Laibach said. “When you start to explain that the increase we’re asking for is an ice cream cone a week or something, then it seems to get to them. We’re not really taking a lot of money for what we give them,” Trustee John H. Laibach said.

In the beginning of May residents should be receiving a flyer detailing the budget proposal.

Other news discussed at the board meeting included an incident at the library involving an art exhibit. Though the board wouldn’t go into detail regarding the incident, members did say that the art displayed was offensive and they received more than a few complaints from patrons.

Currently people that want to display art in the library don’t need to have it screened before it is hung. This will be changing shortly, including a possible committee being formed to decide if an art piece is in poor taste. Exhibitors may need to submit a photo of their art before having it displayed in the library.

“A recent exhibit caused us to rethink our policy for art exhibits. We are working on a new policy and we will have it in place by June,” Vice Chairman Catherine R. Reilly said.

Another topic discussed at the meeting was the fact that the board wants new library cards to be distributed to patrons with a new logo. The new cards will include a keyring card too.

To find this new logo, the library plans on holding a contest for students at Massapequa High School. The student with the best design will be chosen by the board, and receive a $100 gift certificate for somewhere in town.

Lastly, a new flat screen is going to be placed in the . The flat screens in the libraries are used to advertise upcoming programs. The board hopes that they can add a second flat screen in the Bar Harbour Library as well.

At the next meeting the Massapequa Public Library Board of Trustees plans on discussing the possibility of starting a Friends of the Library organization in the town.

The next board meeting and the budget hearing will be held on Monday May 9 at 7:45 p.m. at Bar Harbour Library.