For the upcoming library proposal to pass, we must first face squarely some unfavorable facts and then devise a plan to improve chances of the bond passing. There have been momentous changes worldwide, nationally and locally over this past decade that make the selling of the proposed new library a difficult proposition. I believe it can be done but we must be realistic and honestly face these obstacles with imaginative plans. It makes no sense putting our heads in the sand and pretending that these realities don't exist or the people won't notice or that they will go away. They won't. We have an informed citizenry. Here are some of those daunting obstacles:

Manhasset's pulse is closely tied to the financial markets and the markets are extremely shaky at present. The prospect of a convincing turn-around in the near future is not in the cards.

Manhasset residents are faced with large Nassau home assessment tax increases. We know that increases will be substantial, especially in affluent Nassau areas. Recent by community estimated percent increases are meaningless to an individual homeowner.

Barnes and Noble over the past number of years (500 yards east on Northern Boulevard) has made a significant impact on our library activities. No question here. Residents who use Barnes and Noble regularly are not as likely to vote for the library bond issue as others may be.

An observant person will note that children in the 9 to 18 age group are close to totally absent at the library in the afternoons and also in the evenings. Will their parents vote for the new library? Logic tells us that between the excellent school libraries and the computer information sources available at school and at our affluent homes the library has become superfluous to many people.

Cost is a major obstacle facing passage of the proposed new library. It is currently estimated at $17.6 million. Realistically, it will probably end up higher. Original "estimates" are notoriously short of the mark. Do you remember the Manhasset School District's original school expansion estimates?

Our educated citizenry recognize that with the proposed two and a half times as much space (16,000 square feet going to 38,700) the annual operating budget will rise dramatically over the years. Historically, this has proven so in library districts where new or enlarged libraries have come into being. New libraries tend to keep the first few years' budget increases reasonably low then come the large increases. The public is also aware of how laborious it is to defeat an annual school or library budget. They just keep coming back at voters time after time with minimally smaller proposed budgets until "voter fatigue" sets in.

A substantial group of patrons of the library are the elderly, not the middle-aged or youngsters. This group is a major voting bloc. These generally less affluent oldsters are the least likely to vote for a new library.

Ted Theodorsen