The story behind the retirement/resignation of Arlene Nevens from the position of director of the Great Neck Library has continued to unfold as library board members and library activists have gone "on the record" and "off the record" to explain the rationale behind the actions taken that may have played a factor in Ms. Nevens' decision to leave the post at this time.

First, it should be stated that each library board member with whom the Record spoke, spontaneously commented on his or her desire and hope that Ms. Nevens would change her mind and continue in the position.

After the Record went to press last week, the paper received an email from library board president David Kahn in response to a question about the board's rationale in becoming more deeply involved in personnel decisions. He said that initially he had questioned such involvement, and had been told by the board's labor lawyer, Kevin Seaman, that one of the main jobs of the board was to supervise personnel more closely. Mr. Kahn eventually voted along with the majority of board members present to "intensify board scrutiny of personnel." According to Mr. Kahn the action taken was not intended to "micro-manage" the library, but rather to fully assume the fiduciary responsibilities of any board that oversees an institution such as the library.

The matter of the board's hiring and firing all maintenance staff is an issue that has not been fully explained in public and is not likely to be addressed until the Finance Committee meets later in the month. Suffice it to say that some board members were concerned about the expense and oversight of that function and the issue will be covered when there is more information "on the record."

Another matter that bears further explanation is the matter of budgetary line-item transfers during the course of the fiscal year, rather than once a year. According to board member Marietta DiCamillo, if shifts need to be made from one item to another because one expenditure is coming in higher than projected and another is coming in lower, it is simply a more efficient use of time to do the adjustments at the end of the year.

Norman Rutta is a proponent of moving toward zero-based budgeting where needs are justified each year during the budgeting process. He believes that rather than finding a way to spend a surplus in one year, consideration should be given to using any such money to lower taxes.

This current fiscal year, which is consistent with the calendar year, the library will reap a small windfall because insurance rates which have been rising steadily since September 11 by 15 percent to 20 percent have leveled off. The resulting surplus of $80,000 may end up having to go to pay for higher energy costs.

Regarding the proposal from Ms. Nevens to deploy staff on a one-time basis at community pools to sign up community members for library cards, some board members and some members of the public questioned the cost benefit ratio in the overtime that would have been involved and Ms. Nevens withdrew the proposal.

It has been clarified this week on page 2 of the Record that the board had a tied vote on the matter of terminating the contract with Advanced Consulting, a project management firm that has been engaged to oversee the eventual library renovation.

It is unlikely that the full board will be able to meet until September because of prearranged summer vacation plans.