Letter from the Director

Dear Residents,

Everyday, hundreds of people visit our library. We are a source of inspiration and information for all ages. We continually search for resources, services, and knowledge which will enrich your lives and direct our future.

I recently attended a memorial service for a community leader. One of the speakers quoted Ted Kennedy’s tribute to his brother Robert at his memorial service in 1968. “Our future may lie beyond our vision, but it is not beyond our control. …[T]he work of our own hands, matched to reason and principle will determine our destiny.”

These lofty words resonate in my mind and apply to your library. On April 5, you will have an opportunity to vote on your library’s budget. The proposed budget for FY11-12 includes a modest 3.48% increase, or $26 more in Lloyd Harbor and Cold Spring Harbor, and $30 more in Laurel Hollow for the year, based upon the current tax rates set by the Town of Huntington and Nassau County, subject to minor adjustments in August 2011.

This budget will enable us to maintain open hours and increase our most popular programs and services, including more eBooks for your eBook readers and portable devices! It also includes an increase in funding for contingency as directed by our accountant. These funds have been decimated by our extraordinarily harsh winter weather.

Next year’s budget also contains a generous donation of $25,000 from the Library Friends Foundation to support programs for all ages! In addition, Foundation funds continue to enable necessary capital projects. The Foundation is also pleased to announce two new fundraisers: first, the 125th Anniversary Party for the library on July 16, 2011, and second, a new partnership with the John W. Engeman Theater at Northport (see page 5 of the March/April newsletter for details).

The future of our world, our state, our county, and our community is in our hands. Let’s see challenges as opportunities and create a future to be proud of.