Library to spend more on programs, less on books
The average Port Jefferson resident will pay $10.80 more in library taxes next year, if members approve a proposed $4.33 million budget for 2015-16.
Most of the Port Jefferson Free Library’s expense lines would increase or decrease modestly under the spending plan, according to a budget breakdown from the library. One of the larger changes would be in materials and programs — the library would spend $42,500 less on books next year, for a total of $178,000. Spending on programs, meanwhile, would increase almost $15,000.
In personnel expenditures, salary and retirement costs would both decrease next year, while insurance costs would increase.
Library Director Robert Goykin explained that the decrease in the book budget “is largely the result of many of the expensive print items moving to less expensive electronic versions or publications going out of business,” such as encyclopedias.
While Goykin called it “sad” that those publications are no longer being printed, he said that many of them work well in a digital format because “people don’t read them cover to cover as much as consult them for facts.”
The director said, “In this case the economics work in our favor despite the fact of losing some ‘old friends’ on the shelf.”
The proposed increase in funding for library programs reflects a higher demand, Goykin said, and more programming in science and technology, which can be more expensive than other areas.
In addition to those budget lines, the library would transfer $107,000 into its capital fund for facility improvements.
The library board of trustees has been working on a strategic plan for how the establishment will serve residents in the future, which includes improving the facilities and deciding what to do with a recently purchased residential property that is located next door on Thompson Street.
“With the plan almost concluded,” Goykin said, “the board wanted to set aside some funding to make improvements in the facility.”
All together, the budget would increase less than 0.6 percent next year, and would carry a roughly $3 million tax levy.
If the proposal is approved, for every $100 of assessed value, residents would have to pay an extra quarter to the library next year. The average house in the community is assessed at $4,500.
“The board and the staff have been very mindful of the difficult economic circumstances of the last number of years,” Goykin said. “This is our fifth straight year of minimal budget increases.”
Voting is at the library on Tuesday, April 14, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
