Voters in the Mastics-Moriches-Shirley Community Library District will head to the polls on Tuesday, April 22, to decide on a proposed $12.385 million operating budget for the 2025 fiscal year and to elect individuals to the library’s Board of Trustees.
According to library officials, the average homeowner would see an estimated increase of $35 annually — or about $2.90 per month.
Library Board President Joe Maiorana said the proposed increase reflects the financial pressures faced not only by the community but by the library itself.
“Like every family in our district, we’re dealing with the rising costs of materials, utilities, and supplies,” said Maiorana. “We also have to meet state-mandated minimum wage increases as well as offer competitive salaries to attract and retain talented staff. That’s why this year’s budget includes modest salary adjustments, especially for our entry-level librarians and security personnel. We want to make sure we continue to offer excellent service in every part of our library system.”
Despite the increase, library officials emphasized that the library tax represents only a small portion — approximately eight percent — of a typical homeowner’s property tax bill.
The proposed budget supports ongoing operations at the library’s newly renovated main facility in Shirley and its two new satellite branches in Mastic Beach and Moriches.
The library system continues to be one of the most heavily used in Suffolk County and offers a range of services well beyond book lending.
Programs include English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction, high school equivalency classes, job search assistance, technology training, and arts and crafts workshops for children, teens, and adults.
Patrons also have access to digital offerings like Kanopy, a streaming platform providing thousands of movies and documentaries at no cost to cardholders.
In addition to expanded programming and modernized spaces, the library recently welcomed a new amenity that had long been requested by community members — an in-house café.
On April 12, Brewport Coffee House officially opened inside the main library in Shirley. Known for its popular locations in Bellport and Sachem Public Library, Brewport offers patrons a cozy space to relax, meet friends, or enjoy a fresh cup of coffee, baked goods, and sandwiches while studying or reading.
Library Board President Joe Maiorana noted that a café was one of the most requested features during the building design process and called Brewport “a perfect fit” for the community’s evolving needs.
“There’s a misconception out there that libraries aren’t needed anymore because of the internet,” said Maiorana. “But the truth is, public libraries today are more essential than ever. We’re not just about information — we’re about opportunity, connection, and lifelong learning.”
In addition to voting on the budget, residents will elect two trustees from a field of three candidates.
Incumbents Joe Maiorana and Nancy Kimmerling are both seeking to return to the board. Maiorana, who works as Assistant Community Development Project Supervisor for the Town of Riverhead, has served on the Board of Trustees for decades and currently holds the position of Board President. He has overseen a multi-year construction and renovation initiative that established and modernized all three library locations, made especially challenging as demolition and construction started just as the COVID-19 pandemic began.
Kimmerling, a special education teacher in the William Floyd School District, was appointed to fill the seat vacated by former trustee Michael Dubois. Since joining the board, she has earned praise for her thoughtful contributions and strong commitment to community service.
Also on the ballot is Danielle Escalante, a Regional Client Manager for Optum, who is seeking a seat on the board for the first time.
She is a lifelong resident of the Tri-Hamlet community and a graduate of William Floyd High School. In an April 6 Facebook post, Escalante said that she is grateful for the “…valuable supplemental resources provided to me by the public library [which] prepared me for my college career and successful tenure as an executive in the healthcare industry.”
“Over the past five years, every member of this board has worked hard to keep our budgets responsible while completing one of the most ambitious building projects in our library’s history,” said Maiorana. “Every trustee has taken fiscal oversight seriously, and that commitment continues in this year’s proposal.”
Voting will take place at the main library building at 407 William Floyd Parkway in Shirley from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 22.
For more information about the proposed budget or the trustee election, visit www.communitylibrary.org or call the library at (631) 399-1511.