Riverhead Library Passes By Wide Margin; Partnerships Planned for Future

The cost of an average book is $24 -- but the average cost per homeowner for a plethora of services at the Riverhead Free Library is approximately $12 per month.

That’s a bargain, library administrators say.

And the public agreed, voting Tuesday to approve a  $3.34 budget for the 2012-2013 year by a wide margin of 179 to 64.

Last year’s budget was approximately $3.3 million.

The adopted budget reflects an increase in the tax levy of $60,840, or 1.99 percent. An average Riverhead Town homeowner whose residence is assessed at $43,000 will pay an additional $3.02 per year -- $147, compared to $144 last year -- or 25 cents more per month.

The 2012-2013 proposed budget represents no changes, or very minor adjustments in many budget lines, said Riverhead Free Library Director Lisa Jacobs, who added that the aim was to seek cost-cutting measures without reducing materials or services, in response to continued high Library usage.

The Library Board of Trustees, she added, worked to comply with the New York State tax cap, in order to keep the tax levy increase under 2 percent, even in light of anticipated revenue losses.

A one time transfer from the library’s memorial/donation fund will be used to help support ongoing adult programs.

Absentee votes, of which there were 66, did not affect the outcome and were not counted, said Jacobs.

In addition, the library has new plans for the coming year. “We are continuing to offer both traditional and innovative services,” Jacobs said. “We currently have a number of partnerships but will be actively exploring additional ways to cooperate with Long Island's libraries and other agencies."

Suffolk County libraries, Jacobs explained, will be looking to create partnerships with Nassau County libraries, so that even more unique items will be available for borrowing.  “Interlibrary loans, in library jargon. Some other partnerships are still in the works," she said.

Baiting Hollow’s library budget also passed, 165-76, Jacobs said.

“We appreciate the support of our voters, and look forward to continuing to work with our community in the coming year,” she said.

Services offered at the library include trained reference librarians, round the clock access to downloadable ebooks , music, and video, online access to homework help from tutors, summer reading programs, educational programs for adult including computer training and career guidance, and Polish, Spanish & Russian language collections.