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Community Corner

Sayville Library Board Discusses Happenings

For the first time in two years, library's proposed budget has a 2 percent increase.

The Sayville Public Library Board reviewed and approved the colorized custom signage mock-ups for the interior at its recent meeting.

The board also approved the purchase of a new main server for the library from a state contract with Total Computer Group for a cost not to exceed $11,000 to replace the six-year-old PC.

The board discussed the efforts on the part of director Alice Lepore and the custodial staff to keep the library looking new by replacing soiled and worn carpet tiles, broken ceramic tiles, repairing damaged corners of walls and cleaning windows.

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According to Lepore, the library recently purchased a subscription to a statistics gathering program that will provide usage stats at the service desks. This information is required on the annual state library report.

Lepore also made the board aware of a recent donation from a rather giving young resident. “Four-year old Carter White decided to do some fundraising for a cause. The cause he selected was to raise money for the library. He set up a table with lemonade and cookies in front of his home and raised $74," she said.

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It was donated to the library and will be used to purchase books which will have a book plate in them saying 'Donated by Carter White.'”

On May 10, Lepore presented the library's proposed budget at the Board of Education’s public budget hearing.

In the two years since the new library has been open, there has not been an increase in the operating budget. This year, like the school district, the library is facing hikes in its retirement system costs and health insurance premiums.

The Board of Trustees has presented a 2 percent increase in the budget for 2011-2012, which will result in an estimated $8.82 annual increase for an average home in Sayville. The 2010-2011 operating budget was at $2.58 million and the 2011-2012 is proposed at $2.69 million.

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