With more than half of its seats open to new candidates this year, the Jericho Public Library Board of Trustees will likely experience a challenging transition phase. Three men, Andrew Edson, Steven Goldfarb and Peter Piro, are running for the available seats this year, and with no competition, they are guaranteed to replace Leonard Gutterman, who resigned to take on other responsibilities; Sandra Gotlin, an appointee who will not re-run; and Rita Zeff, who will complete her five-year term.

All three Jericho residents have envisioned ways to help the library improve and evolve, but they also all seem to realize that with so many new voices altering the tone of the board, it will take time just to get adjusted. The best way that they can make the transition seamless, agreed the trio, is to benefit from the knowledge and experience of the remaining trustees.

"Part of what I'll be doing is listening and learning," said Edson, CEO and chairman of Andrew Edson & Associates, a public relations firm, and a 14-year Jericho resident.

"Step one is to listen and learn from the people who have served the longest," said candidate Peter Piro. "I have complete faith in the professionalism of the Jericho staff."

Andrew Edson

"The library is important to the community, because it impacts its value," said Edson, a father of two. Explained Edson, both of his sons, the youngest of whom is about to graduate from high school, have benefited from an educational upbringing supplemented by a quality library.

Despite its obvious benefits to today's young student, said Edson, the library is not as accessible and user-friendly to members of older generations who are too used to the dying card catalogue system and traditional media. Changing this situation has become one of Edson's goals.

"I would like to see the library reach out more to the baby boomer generation to teach them about technology and computer literacy," said Edson, who suggested the introduction of basic, fundamental courses on computers and researching information.

And while the implementation of a modern technology course may be useful, it is senseless without continuing to upgrade the library's facilities and software. Edson would like to, in particular, increase the volume of available computer programs. In addition, he would like to add on to the library's already bolstered video and film collection

Edson is also considering looking into a major change in policy that would restrict people residing outside the district from borrowing material. "Its purpose is for the Jericho community," stated Edson, past director of the Birchwood Civic Association. "If someone from Manhattan or New Jersey takes out a book, and doesn't return it, I have a hard time with that."

"If someone were trying to sell his or her home, the issue of people from other districts borrowing from this one has an effect on value." Edson would like to determine percentage of library visitors who come from outside the district.

Steven Goldfarb

As a businessman, Steven Goldfarb can, as he stated, "bring to the board the ability to help steer the library." And as a father of two young children, the 11-year Jericho resident can "bring to the board a perspective of family."

In doing the latter, Goldfarb has identified the need among Jericho's youngsters for expanded children's facilities. "I believe that the kids section could be dramatically improved. It's dated," said Goldfarb, who listed upgrades in multimedia as the top priority.

Adults, too, should be exposed to the latest in technology, said Goldfarb. However, he said, many are intimidated or baffled by computers and other modern equipment. "There are people who don't know how to use this technology, and the library is a great place to start," he added.

"The library is no longer a unidirectional institution. It has to enter with both guns blasting," he added, suggested more funds be allocated to technology. According to Goldfarb, such technology is crucial in the competitive educational environment in which Jericho children live.

On another front, Goldfarb noted that the library currently organizes excellent trips aimed specifically at children or adults, but little for both. Goldfarb stated that he would like to see more family-oriented excursions in the future.

Peter Piro

Seven-year resident Peter Piro understands that as trustee there is a responsibility of maintaining open relations with the public, acting as a "sounding board for proposals, assisting the library [staff] in seeking input" from the public.

Piro, who worked for a library for six years, believes it is important to closely monitor and record what areas of the library are most busy and what materials are most used. "In seeing where the most activity is," said Piro, "we can [better] focus our funds and energy."

The father of one also recognizes the significance of technology, but has a somewhat different philosophy than Goldfarb's "guns a-blazing" approach. "I absolutely believe in staying up to date with as much technology as can make the library function very effectively. But we shouldn't just jump on the bandwagon. We'll want to see which work most effectively This is a very efficient library. There is no [immediate] need for anything."

Piro also suggested more multiculturalism in library programs, expanding the reference and information collections and providing activities for college-bound students.

No photograph of candidate David Goldfarb was available for this edition.