Massapequa Library Proposes New Budget

The Massapequa Public Library is proposing a $5.4 million budget for the upcoming year.

At a meeting Monday at Bar Harbour Library, the Board released details of the spending plan, which  calls for a tax levy of increase is a 2.50 percent.

That's .03 percent below what the library is limited to under the New York State tax cap.  With allowable growth factors added to the 2 percent cap, the library was allowed to budget a 2.53 tax levy increase this year.

Officials say there aren’t many changes on this year’s budget from last year.

One new cost will be $60,000 roof replacement on the Bar Harbour Library.

But there are also cost cutting measures in the budget.  For example, the library decided not to purchase some new reference books, instead opting database subscriptions, they already have. 

“We are still the best bargain in town,” said Library Director Janis Schoen. “We just want to make sure the community knows we are still interested in spending taxpayers money in the most efficient way.”

Schoen assured those at Monday night’s meeting that replacing some reference material with an online option, will not limit the amount of resources available to the community.

“If someone needs to access something that is only available online and they aren’t familiar with using a computer, the librarian will do the work for them, she said. "That’s what we are here for.”

 “A lot of reference material can be found online,” Schoen explained. “We are only cutting down on how much we spend for certain reference material. We are not cutting anything out. Books are not going away.”

Schoen added that the library is no longer just for books anymore, but a bit of a one-stop shop for research that assists the community from “cradle to the grave”. 

She added there are going to be new programs created at the library this summer, like an adult reading club that will start in July.

There will be another public hearing on the budget May 7. The public will vote on the spending plan on May 15.