The Levittown Public Library budget vote and trustee election will take place on Tuesday, April 8 from noon to 9 p.m. in the library's reference area.

"The library is committed to a continuation of hours and all current services at a minimum increase in cost," a recent library press release stated. "The board developed a proposed budget for 2008/09 that realistically reflects the cost of operating the library."

The total tax levy amount for the 2008-09 year is $6,234,448, which represents a $290,314 increase over the previous year. The total annual average of library tax per household is $362.32, compared to $345.45 last year. This is an average difference of $16.87 per household. Library taxes are based on the assessed value of your property multiplied by the library tax rate.

The budget's total expenditure increase is $312,503, which includes a $208,714 increase in personnel, a $38,134 increase in library materials, a $39,454 increase in operations and $26,201 increase in capital costs.

The library currently offers 68 hours of service per week with four additional hours on Sundays from October to May, 233,478 books, 13,586 audio recordings, 671 periodicals, 11,784 DVDs and videos and access to 106 online databases, periodicals, and the Internet.

During the 2006/07 fiscal year there were: 259,841 library visits, 393,635 items borrowed, 26,053 public Internet users, 12,305 items borrowed for Levittown residents on interlibrary loan, 70,408 reference questions answered, 232 adult programs, 10 teen programs, 372 children's programs and 23,174 registered borrowers.

The Levittown Library is currently undergoing renovations to create additional community rooms. In December 2007, Library Director Celeste Watman told the Levittown Tribune that the cost for construction would total $700,000, however, taxpayers would not be burdened with the bill. This year's total capital improvement portion of the budget reflects an $8,000 increase over last year.

The library was recently awarded a $137,226 Public Library Construction Grant by the New York State Legislature. The cost will be used to defray the cost of renovation for the lower level to the library.

"During the first week of February, the construction crew began to demolish the walls and ceilings," a recent library press release stated. "This was followed by the installation of alarm and electrical lines, and telecommunication cables. Then, the crew marked the concrete floors to designate rooms and the metal studs were put into place. Next, they attached sheetrock to the studs and added the insulation."

The finished areas will include two public meeting rooms, a public computer lab, a handicapped accessible bathroom, a local history/government documents section, and computer, media and technical services offices.

To view the renovation's progress, a digital picture show is available at the circulation desk.

The incumbents, Margaret Santer and Kathleen Snedecor-Rotunno, are this year's candidates. One library trustee will be elected for a five-year term that begins in July 2008 and ends in June 2013.

Santer, a 40-year Levittown resident, currently sits as treasurer of the board and has served four, five-year terms. A married mother and grandmother, Santer said she "has always been committed to the Levittown Library."

Her son, Rich Santer, also currently serves on the board.

An active officer in many PTA units, Santer was also involved in Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts. She is active in St. Bernard's church where she currently serves as a Eucharistic minister.

During her years of service to the library, Santer said the large print and audio book collections have been increased.

"Video and DVD collections have been developed," she added. "Computer and Internet access programs have been expanded. The children's room and the circulation areas have been renovated. An elevator and new front doors were installed. An updated fire alarm system as well as a new, modern telephone system have been installed. At the present, the downstairs area is being renovated to provide two additional meeting rooms and a computer lab."

A 19-year Wantagh resident and a married mother of three, Snedecor-Rotunno is a paralegal. She has also been involved with the Levittown Homemakers Association, Girl Scouts and chaired the Parents as Reading Partners committee at Gardiners Avenue School.

Snedecor-Rotunno describes herself as an avid reader who always has a book in her hand.

"I reserve books, browse the different sections, rent CDs, DVDs and videos," she added. "My children use the library services and programs, and as a Girl Scout leader we often made trips to the library."

She said she chose to run for library trustee because "it is my belief that I should give back to the community where I have taken root."

"My love of books and my love of knowledge made me think that I would be an asset to the library," she added. "My goal for the Levittown Library is to make it an innovative library that will be user friendly for all ages in the community. I would like the community to have more input as to the programs that are offered. Also, I would like to implement programs where the young and old interact together."

The Levittown Library is located at 1 Bluegrass Lane in Levittown. You are eligible to vote if you are registered for school district elections or the general elections. Voter registration is ongoing at the district clerk's office in the Levittown Schools between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. Call 520-8300, ext. 608 for more information. The budget is mailed to every household in the Levittown School District. Copies are also available in the library and in the Levittown Schools. For more information call 731-5728.