The Great Neck Library Board of Trustees approved the library’s proposed $8.41 million budget for 2012 on Thursday, April 14.
Despite a 5.9 percent increase for employee benefits, the tax levy for the proposed budget represents a 2.4 percent increase, or about $10 dollars for a house valued at $1 million.
“Ten dollars for an average household is phenomenal,” said Library Board President Janet Eshaghoff.
The 2012 budget would increase spending $44,000 or .5 percent over the 2011 budget of $8.37 million,
Residents will have a chance to approve the budget at a public vote on May 17 at Great Neck North High School and Great Neck South High School from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Earlier in the meeting, trustees approved the purchase of a book-scan station for $4,995. At the new station, members of the public will be able to scan pages onto a flash drive, Google docs or e-mail the page.
Trustees also approved the purchase of software for $9,500 that will allow library card holders with a smart phone to more easily use the library Web site from their cell phone.
“We’re going to have some kind of groovy name for it like GNL On The Go, and we’ll advertise it on our web site,” said Library Director Jane Marino.
The recently reinstated Museum Pass Program could be ready for public use on May 1, according to a report from the library’s assistant director. The program was cancelled several months ago but reinstated after receiving complaints from residents.
Through the program, library card holders will be able to borrow through the online catalogue a museum pass that allows free entry to local museums. The borrowing period was shortened from four days to three.
“You can send them to other branches which is new,” Marino said. “You couldn’t do that before.”
Library officials purchased passes to the Children’s Museum of Manhattan; Cold Spring Harbor Whaling Museum; Guggenheim/Brooklyn Museums; The Holocaust Museum of Nassau County; Intrepid Air, Sea and Space Museum; Long Island Children’s Museum; Nassau County Museum of Art; and Old Westbury Gardens.
