Zero-Percent Increase in Proposed Library Budget

The Half Hollow Hills Community Library has snipped and clipped its spending plan so that there will be not a single cent increase in the 2012-13 budget from the current year's spending plan.

Residents will vote on Tuesday, April 3 on a budget of $7,219,116, the same figure that was approved this time last year.

Director Michele Lauer-Bader said that the board of trustees made a goal to keep the budget at its current level. A key component in the library's ability to do so is its green factor. Over the last four years, the library has taken steps to improve its energy efficiency and its efforts are paying off.

A new roof with a 46 kilowatt solar system was installed in 2011, which has saved the building money on its electric bills. The library's boilers were upgraded to improve their energy efficiency as well. Also, lower-cost bids were enacted for the printing and mailing of the library newsletter. 

The library's digital collection is "jumping by leaps and bounds," the director said. In exchange, it has slightly decreased the number of hard materials.

Revenues are expected to increase this budget season as the library anticipates to collect $85,000 in PILOTs (Payments in Lieu of Taxes) from the Town of Babylon.

Voters will also select their candidate for the library board of trustees. Jacob Goldman and John J. Sonta are running for the position:

Jacob Goldman

Goldman has been a resident of the community for more than 12 years. He has a Bachelor's of Science in Engineering and a Master's in Business Administration.

He co-founded and runs Energy Tax Savers, Inc., which focuses on energy efficiency and tax savings for buildings. He has written numerous articles related to energy policy as well as been a recognized speaker on the subject. He currently chairs the Huntington Town Task Force on Renewable Energy which has initiated many energy efficiency programs, saving taxpayer dollars.

When not at work, he can be found on the soccer fields coaching his sons’ teams.

“My mother taught me how important the public library is as an equalizer for those less fortunate and how free access to information was instrumental in her success. With the expansion of where information is available, we must remember that some people may not have the same access, and the public library still has a role as an equalizer.

With the Internet and eReaders, the Library will need to understand, embrace and adapt to these market shifts. I do not see this as the end of libraries but as an exciting opportunity for libraries to deliver information in new and interesting ways.”

John J. Sonta

Sonta is a married resident of Dix Hills and has been a Half Hollow Hills Library patron for 23 years. After completing Rutgers University, he played two seasons of professional baseball and did a 16 month tour in Vietnam. After 35 years at General Motors, he retired as Vice President of Vehicle Fleet Sales. Currently he is the CEO of a small company that supplies vehicles to Long Island company employees, primarily to the North Shore - LIJ Hospital System.

“In my teens my life was completely placed on course by a Library, and a librarian, and it has remained a cornerstone all my life. I also offer time to work with Books for Soldiers and other organizations that send books/DVDs to military personnel world- wide. After corporate life I now have time to devote myself, as a Trustee, to one of society’s most underrated gifts, the Public Library System.

I also spend many happy hours with my two grandsons.”

*The budget and trustee Vote will take place Tuesday, April 3, 2012, 9:30 am - 9:00 pm  at the Dix Hills building.