On June 3, residents will have the opportunity to vote on the proposed expansion of the Syosset library. This bond referendum was put before the voters on December 3, 2002 and was voted down with 932 voting against the expansion and 764 voting in favor of it.

The preliminary cost for the expansion, based on estimates, floor plans, and elevations is $13.3 million. This would have cost each homeowner approximately $59 a year, which is less than $5 a month and $1.25 a week.

According to Syosset Library Director Judith Lockman, more than 250,000 people visit the building and borrow over 354,000 items and the building is beginning to show its age. "The building needs extensive repairs," said Lockman. "The heating doesn't work properly and this winter we spent a fortune trying to keep the building warm. People kept their coats on at programs."

At the request of the trustees, LIPA performed an energy audit to determine what can be done to stop the escalating energy costs. According to Lockman, the LIPA report revealed that if measures were taken to improve the building envelope, upgrade the lighting, upgrade the HVAC (heating, ventilating and air conditioning) and other measures... a 40.9 percent reduction in energy costs would result.

"In 1969, the building was designed to hold 96,000 books and at present 246,000 items are jammed on the shelves," said Board President Shirley Lang. "There simply is no more room."

A group of concerned residents recently formed the Friends of the Syosset Library, a group that believes that libraries, in addition to being major information resources, are increasingly becoming the centers for many cultural activities. The group wants the Syosset library to continue to be a quality community resource and encourages everyone to vote in favor of the bond referendum.

According to the newly formed group, the library discarded over 20,000 books last year that were still being circulated to make room for new additions. The library must pay a fee for every book their patrons borrow from other libraries. According to the group, the library is not only wasting money by not improving the building, there are also health and safety issues that concern them.

The proposed building expansion provides for a 50 percent increase in shelf space and triple the space for DVDs, CDs and videos. A new second floor is dedicated and designed to be a comprehensive reference and research center with books, computers, printers and photocopy machines.

The construction would not upset the operation of the library and the library's collections will remain intact throughout the project.

Voting will take place between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. at Syosset High School, Robbins Lane School and H.B. Thomson Middle School. Information on absentee ballots is available through the District Clerk's office at the Woodbury School. Please call 364-5669 for more information regarding the absentee ballots. The library, which is located at 225 South Oyster Bay Road in Syosset, can be reached at 921-7161.