Information technology is growing with amazing speed and your library is keeping pace. Computers link us to the collections of the 54 Nassau County Libraries. We have computers for public use and for the Internet, for word processing and for spread sheets, for CD-ROM databases and educational games. Responding to increasing requests from our community, we regularly offer demonstrations and classes in the use of computers and accessing the Internet.

Through our dedication to be of service to the Westbury community, we are open 65.5 hours weekly, plus four hours on Sundays from mid-Sept. to mid-May. Last year, 99,000 people passed through the turnstiles at the adult library alone, and 131,130 items were checked out. In the past year, we have continued our efforts to provide you with excellent programs, the latest books, videos, magazines, musical CDs and a growing collection of audio books. We also have fax and copy machines for public use. A Notary Public is on staff to serve your needs by appointment.

This past year, as we celebrated the 75th anniversary of our Children's Library - Robert Bacon Memorial, our attention focused on finding a suitable location in the New Cassel area that would expand the services we already provide for children in grades one through six. The Board of Trustees and the staff of the Westbury Public Library have long recognized that the distance to the main library and the hazard of crossing Brush Hollow Rd. needed to be addressed.

We are therefore pleased to announce the grand opening of our Children's Library Satellite in the Park Ave. School Library March 11. Public Library service for children at the Satellite thereafter will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays, and 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Saturdays. All this will occur through an enthusiastic partnership with the Westbury Public Schools. The Library and the Schools are dedicated to encouraging our children to read and use the library as an educational resource.

Due to unanticipated revenue during the current year, and to very careful adjustments in our proposed budget, we will continue to bring you the same dedicated, professional and friendly service you have come to expect, without a tax increase this year.

The Library Board has prepared a budget that offers excellent value for your tax dollar. We appreciate your support over the years and urge you to vote April 11.

Charles J. Haugh, president; Roberta Charles Oborne, vice president; Susan Fesq Kenler; Arlene H. Coleman; C. Yvette Long

Board of Trustees

Westbury Memorial Public Library

(Editors note: The proposed library budget for the 2000-2001 fiscal year will be submitted for voter approval April 11 in the Adult Library from 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.)