Village of Mineola auditor Giacomo Ciccone conducted an audit of the Mineola Memorial Library after it was discovered that some funds were missing. Ciccone reported to the mayor and the board of trustees at Wednesday's village board meeting that procedures are now in place to safeguard funds collected by the library such as late fees for borrowed materials.

Though the library budget is part of the village budget, the library does handle small fees associated with materials that were returned late such as books. It was discovered that approximately $400 was missing over the course of last six months.

"There was a discrepancy noted which caused the library board to look into it," said Mayor Jack M. Martins.

Since the library handles only small amounts of money, there was never a policy in place to safeguard funds coming in for late books. "It appears that some monies may have been missing. Once the library board determined that something may be going on, they initiated a number of different policy changes including sequentially numbered receipts and cash registers just to make sure. You're not dealing with a lot of money, but you're dealing with public money so you have to be careful it's properly safeguarded," said Martins.

Library Board President Harriet Beckman resigned from her position. Asked the reason why, she only said, "I was uncomfortable staying with the library at this point in time."

Word is that Beckman wanted an outside audit firm to conduct an audit of the library. It was decided that the village should conduct its own audit and put procedures in place to safeguard the funds.

According to Martins, an outside audit would have cost about $7,000. It was decided it wouldn't be prudent to spend $7,000 when there was $400 in question.

Martins complimented the library board for putting in place the proper procedures. He said the audit confirmed there is money missing. However, now there are policies and procedures in place to avoid it happening in the future.

"I don't like it. I wish I could definitely determine who did it so I can get rid of them," the mayor said.

As to who took the money, there have only been suspicions cast but no findings of fact to sustain any disciplinary action.

Martins said he wanted the report of the audit given in public to dispel any further rumors. He believes it is important for the public to maintain its trust in the good employees of the library. "I do not want people to go down to the library and think all of the clerks there are thieves. I don't want everyone painted with the same brush," he said.