The Mastics-Moriches-Shirley Community Library works hard to serve our community’s interests. Here’s two ways we do it:
First, we’re bringing library services closer to you.
And second, our proposed budget for the coming year – which you’ll be voting on on Tuesday, April 4 – reflects a conservative approach to spending and a commitment to the responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars.
On the first point, we’re making the library far more accessible by opening two brand-new, state-of-the-art satellite branches in Mastic Beach and Moriches. Together with our main library in Shirley, these three locations at long last bring library services far closer to all of our patrons in one of the largest library districts on Long Island.
Our new, 7,000-square-foot branch in Mastic Beach opened in January, and it’s already a big success. Patronage has far exceeded expectations. The new Moriches location is scheduled to open within the month. Our main library in Shirley, now undergoing major code-mandated renovations, is scheduled to open in late 2024.
On the second point, in an economic environment troubled by an inflation rate that reached 6.4% in January, we’ve exercised rigid controls over our expenses by rigorously reducing our costs and boosting our efficiencies – all while maintaining the quality and accessibility of library services.
As the result of our across-the-board belt-tightening, voters in our library district will be asked on April 4 to approve a budget reflecting only one new, net increase: a 1.4 percent increase in our operating budget, which amounts to $148,499 out of a total budget of a little over $11.54 million.
Keeping a lid on spending has been challenging and painstaking, especially, as we face rising expenses in such essential areas as books, media, IT databases, supplies, utility costs, and contractual obligations for staff.
Voting takes place on Tuesday, April 4 between 9:00am and 9:00pm at the new Mastic Beach Satellite Branch at 369 Neighborhood Road.
This increase – only the second such increase in nine years, amounts to a modest 78 cents per household per month for the average household assessed at $1,995.
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We’ll continue to offer such popular services as live online homework help; printing scanning faxing; access to computers and internet; meeting and study rooms; early literacy programs for babies and toddlers; and, help with government assistance programs.
We appreciate the ongoing support of our community and remain committed to being responsible stewards of public funds. We urge you to exercise your vote on our proposed budget on April 4.
Let’s continue to navigate these challenging times together – and there’s no doubt we’ll emerge stronger on the other side.