On April 13 the proposed 2005-2006 budget for the Manhasset Public Library was rejected. Although the margin of defeat was very small-only seven votes-the trustees of the library have decided not to have another budget vote. Instead the library will operate on an austerity budget during the forthcoming year.

To understand what an austerity budget will mean, the public must realize that the library's annual budget now has two parts: First, the operating budget, to pay staff salaries, maintain the building, buy books and videos, support programs, etc., for the next year; Second the debt service part, which repays a portion of the amount of the bonds authorized by the community on March 19, 2003 to build a new library building. The debt service part is mandatory and cannot be affected by the annual vote on the operating budget. It must be paid, and the taxes for that purpose must be assessed, each year regardless of the outcome of the vote on the operating budget.

The trustees knew that the 2005-2006 fiscal year was the first in which the full brunt of repayment of the bonds would be felt by taxpayers, and so held the increase in the operating budget-the only part under our control-to a frugal $21,300, or only about three-quarters of one percent (0.76 percent) above the 2004-2005 operating budget. The voters rejected that small increase. We respect their decision and will not seek to have it overturned by another vote.

This brings us to the consequence of the budget rejection-the need to operate on an austerity budget in 2005-2006. Under austerity, the taxes authorized to pay the library's operating costs will be limited to the amount approved by the voters for 2004-2005. In short, we'll have to pay next year's bills with the amount of this year's tax revenues despite the inevitable increases in expenses resulting from inflation, contractual salary requirements, and other commitments. This makes it necessary for the library to increase non-tax revenues and/or cut expenses by decreasing services.

For this reason the Manhasset Library Board of Trustees has decided, starting in July, 2005, to close the library on all public holidays and on 12 Sundays from September to June. When the Sunday closing schedule has been determined, it will be published in the Manhasset Press and posted in the library and on the library's website. The effect of these measures in overcoming the budget shortfall will be monitored and, if necessary, additional steps will be taken to keep costs in line with income. Among further steps being considered are:

* making additional reductions in hours of operation;

* charging fees to borrow videos (DVD and VHS);

* charging fees for reserving new books and for taking out best sellers; and

* reducing the number of duplicate copies of popular videos and best sellers purchased by the library.

The trustees are very much aware of all the taxes our residents pay-we live here too-and we have always been diligent in developing the library's operating budgets, usually keeping increases at or under the cost of living. However, a year on austerity will challenge us to keep basic services going and add to our collection.

Next year we will be in a new and larger building and the challenge to minimize the budget increase will be even greater. This year the budget was defeated by 242 to 235-a total vote representing only about one tenth of the eligible voters. With many Manhasset residents being justifiably concerned about the increasing size of their tax bills, Manhasset residents who want to maintain full library services must have greater resolve next year to get to the polls for the annual vote on the library's operating budget.