Proposed Levittown Library Budget Calls for 2.2 Percent Increase

The Levittown Library’s proposed budget for 2013-14 has come in at $7.25 million – an increase of $156,275 from 2012-13 or a little over 2.2 percent.  

The budget proposes an average annual tax of $413.42 per household – an increase of $9.17 per household from last year’s total of $404.25, the library said in a release.  

The library budget enables the library to offer new books, CDs, DVDs, magazines, newspapers, online databases and programs to residents. The budget also provides the funds for reference, adult, teen and children’s services, along with Senior Connections, homebound and hospice services.  

“The Board has developed a proposed budget for 2013-2014 that realistically reflects the cost of operating the library,” the release said.  

The Levittown Library currently offers 68 hours of service per week with three additional hours on Sundays from Oct. – May, 227,979 books, 13,769 audio recordings, 591 periodicals, 19,344 DVDs and videos and access to 89 online databases, periodicals and the internet, according to the release.  

The biggest increase in the library budget comes from salaries, pension and social security, totaling $138,775. Total operations sees an increase of $22,000, while total library materials has a decrease of $4,500, the release said.  

Margaret Santer is an incumbent running unopposed for the open seat as a library trustee.  

The library budget vote and election of library trustee takes place at Levittown Public Schools on Tuesday, May 21, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.  You are eligible to vote if you are registered for school district elections or the general elections.

For information on absentee ballots, contact the District Clerk at the Levittown Memorial Education Center, (516) 520-8300, extension 608. Registration to vote is ongoing at the office of the District Clerk of the Levittown UFSD between the hours of 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. on school days, provided that the registration is effective no later than 5 days prior to the vote of May 21, 2013.