I wish to thank all the good people of the Levittown UFSD #5 for electing me to the position of trustee of the Levittown Public Library this past April 11, 2002.

Library service is no longer a luxury especially after September 11, 2002. There is no doubt of the importance of information access for our residents, students, citizens than ever before.

I pledge to the people of this library district a program of innovative service to the community. Along with the sitting members of the Levittown Library Board and our director Mr. Pete Martin, I am sure we will work together for the best possible library service for our residents. There are exciting initiatives already planned for our library and there will be stunning improvements in the years ahead. This library will be second to none in its programming, materials selection, and physical improvements in the years ahead. Thank you for the opportunity in serving you. If you have any comments, suggestions or criticisms of library service, I want to hear about them. Please e-mail to jbosco46@webtv.net, or snail mail to John Bosco 46 Blackbird Lane, Levittown, NY 11756.

The proposed library budget for 2002/2003 will be submitted for the approval of the voters of the Island Trees Union Free School District, at the library, on Thursday, April 25. You are eligible to vote if you are registered to vote in the school district votes or the general election. For information regarding absentee ballots contact the library district clerk, Island Trees Public Library, 731-2211. In addition to the budget, one library trustee will be elected for a five-year term ending June 30, 2007.

The goal of the library board and the library director in constructing the new budget was to propose a comprehensive plan that would offer the most services to the community while managing the fiscal impact on the individual taxpayers. In the current climate, faced with economic uncertainty and the constant threat of reduced funding from alternative sources, this task was especially challenging.

Continuing to achieve the goal of making the Island Trees Public Library a full service, community based library is never more on the minds of the library board members and the library director than during budget time. The library board is committed to keeping constantly on target with the educational expectations of the state, the school district, and the parents of our district, school-age children. Simultaneously, the library board is cognizant of the unique concerns facing the remainder of the population we serve, including our senior citizens, our single parents, and families without any children. It is with all of these diverse populations in mind that we have tried to present a budget for the people.

The budget presented translates into an increase of only 36 cents per week, per family but will allow for the modernization of our collection, the continuation of the technological enhancements begun last year, and the aesthetic improvement of our physical facilities for the creation of an atmosphere that will be more inviting to our growing number of patrons. Additionally, the budget contemplates the need for continued growth of our staff to meet the demands created by the extended hours mandated by our seven-day schedule and our rapidly growing patronage.

In order to achieve these goals, the library board and the library staff must have your support. Please vote YES for the attached budget on Thursday, April 25. Our polls will be open in the Community Room of the library from 1 to 9 p.m. Every vote has the ability to send a message that Island Trees supports its public library and appreciates the strides we have made. We thank you for your continued support.