On Tuesday, June 6, Island Trees residents will vote on the public library's proposed budget. This year the vote will be anti-climatic. The proposed library budget has an increase of just $680, which amounts to an increase of only 0.07 percent.

"We've been able to cut down in some areas and therefore we are able to hold the budget at virtually the same level as last year," said Frank McKenna, the new director of the Island Trees Public Library. McKenna grew up in Island Trees and is now returning to his hometown public library after working in the Wantagh Public Library.

"We've cut down on some of the databases that were used infrequently and we will be able to cut down our need for counsel assistance," said McKenna. "We also will reduce the number of videos we order as there is a much greater demand for DVD's. We will maintain our level of those." As of 2005, the library had 3,956 video and DVD holdings.

In 2005-06, significant improvements were made to the library. The lighting was improved, there was an expansion of the large-print book collection and there is a new periodical display. Additionally, much was done for the children's room of the library. The room was extensively updated and more educational software was added.

Despite holding the budget at virtually the same level as last year, McKenna states cutting some infrequently used items will allow the library to add more programs that residents would be interested in. "We're always looking to find new things that appeal to the residents and serve the community," said McKenna.

According to McKenna, the library is also working with the Island Trees School District to get more children interested in reading, particularly young adults. In the upcoming year, there will be a program called Poetry Slam in which children will write their own poetry and recite it. For young adults there will be a sign language program this summer as well as an arts and crafts program for children. There is also an upcoming program called Anime Manga, which teaches children how to draw figures using a Japanese style of drawing.

"We want to work very closely with the school district," said McKenna. "We've been working with the schools on the summer reading program. We think this is very important. The more that kids read, the more prepared they are for school and the more academic success they will have."

Another big event that will be occurring at the library in the next year is Charter Day. The Island Trees Public Library Charter was signed on Jan. 26, 1967. To commemorate the 40th anniversary of that event, special events and activities are planned for that time. The Island Trees Public Library got the approval to be created from that charter and opened two years later in 1969. Plans are also being discussed to create an oral history of the Island Trees Library, by speaking with residents who lived in Island Trees when the library opened.

According to statistics released by the library, the library had 39,303 cataloged books in 2005 as well 106 periodicals and 23 databases. There were 251 adult programs, 33 young adult programs and 360 children programs in 2005 that had a total attendance of over 7,000 people. As of 2005, the Island Trees has 7,552 registered borrowers who created a circulation of 62,625 items. During that year, over 52,000 people visited the Island Trees Library.

Voting on the proposed budget will take place in Dolores M. Morehouse Community Room of the library on Tuesday, June 6. Voting will be held from 1 to 9 p.m. In addition to the budget, voters will also decide who will serve a five-year term on the library board. In that election, current board member Sonia Meyer is being challenged for her seat on the board by Victoria Andrews. For more information call 731-2211 or visit www.nassaulibrary.org/islandtr/.