Huntington area libraries get the green light on budgets

Huntington area libraries get the green light on budgets

Harborfields Public Library passed their budget with 220 yes votes. File photo

Huntington

Huntington Public Library’s budget passed with 307 yes votes to 80 no votes, and Kimberly Hawkins was chosen to serve another term as the library’s trustee. The $8,984,918 budget is a 0.75 percent increase from last year’s budget or an increase of about $66,000. The biggest expenses include personnel services and salaries, and maintenance of facilities.

“As we continue to offer our many and varied programs and services, I’d like you to know how much I appreciate the support that you, our patrons, continue to give us,” Joanne Adam, library director, said on their website. Hawkins beat out newcomer Paul Ehrlich, and in her candidate questionnaire said her experience already being involved as a trustee was more valuable to residents than fresh blood.

“I have a great depth of knowledge from being a trustee for more than five years,” she said. “I feel a deep commitment to the library and feel strongly that my experience as a trustee, board president, member of multiple committees and chief negotiator of the collective bargaining agreement makes me extremely qualified for the position. Having a trustee with this level of experience is in the best interests of our community.”

Harborfields

Harborfields Public Library passed its 2017-18 budget with 220 yes votes to 37 no votes. The $4.9 million budget is less than a $100,000 increase or a 1.7 percent increase from last year’s budget, with the biggest increases in health insurance, retirement, workers compensation, computer equipment, accounting fees and transfer for debt services. The tax increase comes to 1.92 percent or about $91,000 more raised in taxes compared to last year’s budget.

In a letter to residents, library director Carol Albano talked about some of the projects the library worked on with grants they applied for from New York State.

“Our role as the community center continues to evolve,” she said. “Over the past few years we have recognized the need for more quiet space, technology training and for an expansion to our teen area. Our new training room is used as an additional quiet space that can transform into a technology training room when needed. Both the existing quiet room and the training room received new furniture, carpeting, LED lighting and electrical outlets for plugging in and charging all of the latest technology. Whether you have an exam to study for, are working from home, or just need a space to do some research, you’ll find a quiet spot in the library!”

As for the new area for young adults, many modern updates were made.

“Our new area for young adults, Teen’Scape, offers books, computers, comfortable seating, study areas, a Maker Space and plenty of outlets – everything that a modern teen needs,” Albano said. “Teen’Scape combines the best of traditional library resources with cutting-edge technology. It is the go-to place for Harborfields teens to not only read and study but to also learn, create and explore many interests, and of course meet up with friends.”

Northport-East Northport

With 436 yes votes and 61 no votes the Northport-East Northport Public Library was able to pass their 2017-18 budget. The $9.9 million budget expects about $20,000 less in revenue from the year before, and the tax increase from last year is about $100,000 more. The biggest cost increases come from health insurance for employees, library materials including books and electronic costs and computer hardware and software. Judith Bensimon was also elected as a first-time library trustee.

Cold Spring Harbor

With the smallest number of total votes, the Cold Spring Harbor Public Library passed their budget with 101 yes votes to 33 no votes.

Elwood

At Elwood Public Library, the budget passed with 237 yes votes to 45 no votes and Nadine Araoz-Beuka was elected as a trustee. The 2017-18 budget includes a 1.49 percent tax increase and comes to a total of $1,564,533, an about $20,000 increase from the previous year. The budget includes a $2,000 increase in tax revenue, and the biggest costs include programming and museum passes, and building and office operations.