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Baldwin Public Library seeks $6.49 million budget; director highlights new community rooms and services
Summary
Library director Elizabeth Lehi presented a $6,489,946 budget that the library says stays within the tax cap (a 2.11% levy increase, she said) and described new community spaces — study rooms, makerspace, teen room — passport processing and free use policies for nonprofit community groups.
Elizabeth Lehi, director of the Baldwin Public Library, told the school-board meeting that the library is a separate elected entity and presented its proposed $6,489,946 budget, saying the library’s tax-levy increase would be 2.11% and remain within the tax cap.
Lehi walked through budget highlights: she said debt service tied to the community-approved bond represents about 15% of the library’s budget and that operating increases (about $42,624) reflect equipment maintenance and program costs. She said the library increased its materials budget by $11,800 and its buildings-and-grounds line by $13,000 to support newly renovated spaces.
Lehi emphasized the library’s new and renovated spaces: a second-floor suite with seven study rooms (used over 1,000 times since the floor opened), a makerspace with 3D printing and a large-format printer, a dedicated teen room and a large flexible community room. She noted many services available to residents — passport processing (new applications only, not renewals), a seed library, a "library of things" for borrowing tools and event gear, and streaming/digital services.
On access and cost: Lehi said the library does not charge community groups for meeting-space use if a nonprofit or community group is not using the space for business purposes; reservations are handled by staff and via the library website. She also promoted a TED Democracy livestream event on June 13 that the library will host in the new community room.
Lehi said the library’s per-capita cost ranks about 29th out of 54 Nassau County public libraries (per-capita cost $133.51) and estimated the average household’s library tax at about $500, or roughly 3% of a local tax bill. She invited residents to pick up printed budget materials or review line-by-line figures on the library website.
The library budget is its own proposition on the May 19 ballot; Lehi and board members answered questions about capacity (the upstairs room can seat roughly 200 when additional chairs arrive) and reservation procedures. The presentation concluded with applause and public thanks from community members who said they use the new spaces frequently.
After the Q&A the board resumed other agenda items and adjourned the public meeting at 8:10 p.m.
