Town of Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray and Town Councilmen James Darcy and Edward Ambrosino announced that the Hempstead Town Board passed resolutions allowing residents of the North Valley Stream Library District and the East Franklin Square Library District to vote in a special election to choose a host library for their districts. The North Valley Stream Library District is comprised of residents of North Valley Stream and those residents of Elmont and Franklin Square who reside in the district. The East Franklin Square Library District is comprised of those residents of Malverne and Valley Stream who reside in the district.

"Last year, these residents who were previously without library services voted to establish the East Franklin Square Library District and the North Valley Stream Library District," noted Murray.

Residents who voted to establish the East Franklin Square Library District chose the Elmont Memorial Library as their host library whereas residents who voted to establish the North Valley Stream Library District chose the Henry Waldinger Memorial Library as their host library.

However, since the contract is due to expire on Dec. 31, 2004, New York State law requires a special election be called to approved a new contract with a host library and its budget.

The special elections will occur on Thursday, Sept. 9 from noon to 9 p.m. at your regular polling station. Only persons who are registered to vote with the Board of Elections and live in the East Franklin Square Library District or the North Valley Stream Library District will be eligible to vote. Registered residents will receive notification by mail with details regarding the vote, including their choice of participating libraries, the associated contract budget and the budgetary impact.

"We would like to thank State Senators Dean Skelos and Assemblymen Tom Alfano and Bob Barra for sponsoring the necessary state legislation, which has made it possible for residents to select to have library service," said Ambrosino.

Residents of the East Franklin Square Library District and residents of the North Valley Stream Library District will decide whether to choose The Henry Waldinger Memorial Library, Elmont Public Library or Malverne Public Library as their host library. The Hempstead Town Board will then award a two-year contract to the library receiving the most votes from the North Valley Stream Library District residents and a two-year contract to the library receiving the most votes from the East Franklin Square Library District residents.

The selection of a host library will also approve the associated budget for the contract.

"We are committed to ensuring that residents continue to enjoy all of the educational, cultural and social benefits that go along with full library services," said Darcy.