The Levittown Public Library budget vote and election of a library trustee will be held on Thursday, April 10, from noon to 9 p.m. in the library's community room.

Those who are registered to vote on Levittown School District matters and those who are residents of the Levittown School District and have voted in the general election within the last four years are eligible to vote on April 10.

One library trustee will be elected for a five-year term ending June 30, 2008. Candidates for the position are incumbent Margaret Santer and Albert O'Rourke.

The library board is committed to continuation of hours and all current services at a minimum increase in cost.

The board has developed a proposed budget for 2003-2004 that reflects relatively modest increases in most budget lines. The exception is the increase in employee benefits. Most of this increase is in required payments to the New York State and Public Employees' Retirement System and in health insurance.

The current budget year will see the completion of the elevator installation and renovation of the entrance lobby and circulation desk area. As a result of the amounts provided for capital codes are substantially reduced. Funds are still provided to continue interior renovations during the coming year.

The proposed 2003-2004 budget would result in an increase in the amount to be raised by taxes for library service of $286,914, or 7.5 percent. Because of tax reassessment, the cost for the individual homeowner is still uncertain.

In a letter sent to residents regarding the budget/trustee vote, it was noted that the library currently provides 68 hours of service per week with four additional hours on Sundays from October to May; 242,369 books, 8,897 compact disks, 641 periodicals and 14,508 video tapes and DVDs; access to online indexes, databases and periodicals, as well as Internet access; information and reference services, Interlibrary loan, and programs for all ages; story hours and class visits for children; delivery to homebound patrons - community information and referral; and services for senior citizens, copy machines, and meeting rooms for community use.

The letter further stated that library users borrowed 379,024 items during the last fiscal year. Of those, 118,905 were for children. In addition, 3,455 items were borrowed on interlibrary loan from other libraries for Levittown residents.