Syosset School District residents will have the opportunity to vote on the public library operating budget at the Tuesday, May 20, district election.

The proposed budget is $5,632,990 of which $886,589 is mandatory repayment of the debt service for library construction. Judith Lockman, Syosset Public Library Director, said that New York State law requires the school district to act as the financial agent for the library. "The school district collects the $886,589 for library construction, and when the library budget is approved by the voters, the school district is fully reimbursed."

Library Board President Lorraine Trachtman said, "We, your elected library trustees, take our responsibility very seriously. Our goal is to ensure that your library is local government at its best, making optimum use of each tax dollar. In the compilation of the 2008-2009 Library Budget, we have made every effort to conserve funds while continuing to purchase the materials you want to borrow, and to present programs and services for every age group in our community.''

There will be a "Know Your Candidates" meeting and public budget hearing on Tuesday, May 13, at 7:30 p.m. at the Syosset Public Library.