Voters in the Mastics-Moriches-Shirley Community Library District overwhelmingly approved the library’s 2025-2026 operating budget on Tuesday, April 22, by a vote of 400 to 249 — a decisive 62 percent margin of support.
Also, trustee Nancy Kimmerling was elected to a five-year term, while Board President Joseph Maiorana was re-elected to a one-year term. Kimmerling received 372 votes, and Maiorana received 343. Danielle Escalante, also on the ballot, received 252 votes.
“I want to thank our community for once again supporting the library and for the opportunity to continue serving,” said Maiorana, who has served as a trustee since 1998 and currently leads the board as its president. “This year’s budget is a modest increase that helps us keep great staff, meet rising operational costs, and offer the programming and resources our patrons rely on every day. We’ve worked hard to be responsible stewards of public funds, and this vote affirms that commitment.”
“I’m so grateful to the residents of our district for their trust and support,” added Kimmerling, who was appointed to the board last year and has now won her first full term. “Serving on the board has been incredibly rewarding, and I look forward to continuing our work to provide accessible, inclusive, and high-quality library services for all.”
The approved $12.385 million budget includes an increase over the current year equivalent to an estimated $2.90 per month for the average homeowner. It allows the library to address inflationary cost increases, comply with state minimum wage requirements, and adjust salaries for key roles such as librarians and security staff to improve recruitment and retention.
It also supports expanded community programming across the library’s three locations.
The Mastics-Moriches-Shirley Community Library continues to be one of the most used public libraries in Suffolk County, offering services ranging from English language and high school equivalency classes to early childhood literacy programs, tech training, and job readiness support.
“The library truly belongs to the people of this community,” added Maiorana. “We’re proud to have earned their support and excited to keep building on this momentum together.”
For more information, visit www.communitylibrary.org or call (631) 399-1511.