The library board of trustees approved the final draft of the proposed 2009 budget for the Main library and its three branches. The 2009 budget will hold the line on any tax increases from the current budget.

The bulk of the revenue, 96.2 percent, comes from taxes, projected at $7,824,000. Operating revenue from various sources such as from fines, book sales, fees, commissions and interest on an endowment fund is projected at $215,200 down 1.8 percent from the current year. Non-operating revenue includes reserve fund balances, which come to $97,200. The total appropriation would be $8,136,400.

Currently, the library has an operating surplus of approximately $582,378 for 2008. The business manager, Neil Zitofsky, said that the surplus was primarily derived from budgeted positions that have been unfilled as well as savings in the New York State retirement and health insurance programs.

As the library system is a service-based institution, the greatest costs, 75.1 percent, are for salaries and benefits. This will amount to $6,125,700 in 2009. Funds for materials and programs will see a decrease of 0.9 percent from this year's costs, $908,300. Library operations will rise 0.9 percent at a cost of $277,000. Projected costs for running and maintaining the buildings will be $772,100, a 5.9 percent increase. The costs for furniture and equipment will go up by 10.8 percent, at $53,300.

The budget vote will be held on May 20. Complete copies of the proposed budget are available at Main and all three branches and also online at www.greatnecklibrary.org