Voting on the proposed 2006-07 budget and trustee election 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/.

Ten-year Island Trees resident and library trustee candidate Victoria Andrews said she has been a lifelong lover of reading, books and creative writing.

"I have been a passionate proponent of the power of books to transform people's lives especially children's lives," she said.

After devoting the last few years to raising her children, Andrews said she is looking to "give something back to the Island Trees Community."

"I believe my educational background, as well as the skills I have acquired from experience as leader, organizer, and teacher will serve my community well," she added.

Andrews said a library offers a unique option to the families of its community. A daily visitor to the library, she said Island Trees has "the privilege of a genial, knowledgeable, and one of the most efficient library staffs." If elected, Andrews offered several suggestions and additions to the library she would be interested in making.

"I would continue to upgrade computer software and programs within the library. In addition, I would encourage the acquisition of novels and videos that would prove popular for general circulation, while maintaining the need for fiscal prudence. I would like to sponsor more lectures by volunteer residents who have skills or stories to share with their contemporaries or to those younger than themselves to serve as role models to the younger generation. I would like to reach out to the young adult population who sometimes find themselves with time on their hands and nowhere productive to go," she said.

The daughter of a decorated World War II veteran, Andrews graduated summa cum laude from the College of New Rochelle with a major in English, and a double minor in education and French. She later received her master's degree in English from Teachers College, Columbia University. A published poet, Andrews taught high school English at New Rochelle High School for nine years. Currently she operates her own health and wellness education business out of her home, while raising two children with her husband.

Running for her third term as trustee in what she considers to be the "hidden jewel" of Island Trees, Sonia Meyer said she takes great pride in making great strides at the library while keeping the tax levy at a bare minimum.

"Our budget this year reflects an increase of less than 1 percent while maintaining our current services and planning for new," she added.

A lifelong Levittown resident, Meyer said she is seeking re-election because she said she hasn't finished what she set out to do eight years ago.

"I had two main goals that I knew would take time and patience to achieve; to get the best and the most library services for our dollar, while keeping the dollar amount down as much as possible and to ensure a permanent home for our library in both the hearts and home of the Island Trees taxpayer."

Meyer said she thinks the library is finally at the point where they can begin planning for the next 40 years.

"I want the opportunity to help solidify our permanent place in this community," she added. "As in the past, I will continue to advocate for support from our community, as well as for support and funding from our local and state representatives."

Citing the rapid increase cost of living and funding cuts as challenges for the library's future, Meyer said she would try "to keep our needs as a public library in line with the demands that we face every day."

She and her husband have two daughters. Active in PTAs, the PTA Council and Girl Scouts, Meyer said she has been "instrumental in many ways throughout the last 12 years in advocating for the educational needs of our children." Most recently she has become part of the Nutrition Committee for the Island Trees school district. Professionally Meyer, a Hofstra University grad, does trial preparation, specializing mainly in defense work for civil matters.