There are two candidates running for the board of trustees at the Farmingdale Public Library. Lawrence Jorgensen, currently a member of the library board, is being challenged by Matt Probert.

Jorgensen, a 64-year resident of the Farmingdale School District, has been a member of the board of trustees since 1989. A retired hospital administrator, his services included residency at Bellevue Hospital; opening New Harlem Hospital as its CEO; making major improvements in the emergency medical service (EMS); and key administrator in the completion and opening of University Hospital at Stony Brook.

A member of the Village of Farmingdale Planning Board and Nassau Library System, Jorgensen said he is seeking re-election because he has seen many great changes at the library and hopes to continue enhancing services to residents.

In regard to existing policies, Jorgensen said that they are reviewed by a board and staff committee. "Suggestions from patrons are also considered," he said. "On a monthly basis, recommendations for change are brought to the full board for consideration. Discussions take place for three consecutive months before enactment. This gives the community ample time for their input. No change to this methodology needs to take place."

In addition to serving on the library board (he was president from 2001-2003), Jorgensen is a member and current president of the Farmingdale-Bethpage Historical Society, the Farmingdale Breakfast Rotary Club (of which he was president from 1995-1997) and will be district governor of the Rotary International District for 2004-2005.

"Having been a member of the board for 15 years, I have witnessed the changes in library services from two almost antiquated buildings to one modern facility that with the help of my fellow trustees, a well-trained and dedicated staff, is an integral part of the Farmingdale community," he said. "I want to help maintain and continue to enhance our services that have been accomplished with minimal yearly tax increases."

Probert has worked in the elevator industry in marketing. His successes include coordinating the library and assisting at the Irish American Historical Society in Manhattan. He was also a book buyer at Doubleday Bookstores.

Probert, an antiquarian book collector and a Theodore Roosevelt collector, said his basis for campaigning is to bring a fresh voice and vision to the board.

"I'd like to be an advocate for the public," he said. "I'd like to get the public more excited and involved in their library."

Through his new vision, Probert said he has many ideas as to help the library become more efficient and help it attract more community involvement. His plans include looking into the creation of a consortium of libraries to lobby Albany for more assistance. He also said he would like to find out whether the facility could be made more energy efficient, and explore new avenues of fundraising.

Probert added that he would also like to see the creation of a fall and spring film festival at the library. To help the community's senior citizens, Probert said he would like to expand the large print areas for seniors of the library as well as reinstate the bookmobile for seniors who are homebound. Other plans if elected include expanding lectures and daytrips, as well as creating programs for disabled children.

Probert concluded with this comment in regard to his reason for candidacy: "As Sargeant Shriver told the 1994 Yale graduating class, 'break the mirrors, shatter the glass. In our society that is so self-absorbed, begin to look less at yourself and more at each other. Learn more about the face of your neighbor and less about your own.' Our library can be a conduit to accomplish this."