Babylon Library vote Tuesday;

polls open 9:30 a.m., to 9:00 p.m.

by Carolyn James

A $4.95 million expansion plan for Babylon Library will go to the voters Tuesday, October 8. The plan, if approved, will increase the tax rate $1.85, or the annual taxes on a home assessed at $8,000, $143 a year.

Voters rejected a more expansive proposal for a two-story addition in March. At that time, feedback from the community indicated that some residents believed the project, which was nearly $3 million more, was too costly. As a result, the board went back and scaled down the project.

"In this new plan, we are still creating enough space for collections and materials," said Library Director Robert Lusak. "And, while we have reduced some of the large open areas as a result of the feedback we got from the public, we still have some quiet areas and reading areas."

The revised referendum includes money for the purchase of a parcel adjacent to Astoria Federal Savings Bank. This will enable the library to offer 37 parking spaces even with the expansion, with an additional four located in the front of the building along South Carll Avenue. Library officials said that due to the persistent problem concerning the lack of parking for library patrons, the Library Board has made a decision to purchase this land, regardless of the outcome of the vote.

"I think it is a great plan, and I am happy to see that the board is continuing to move forward," said Gary Repetto, who attended a meeting to review the plans on Sunday.

Another resident agreed. "I was very upset when the first proposal was turned down," said Elizabeth Karoly, a resident and volunteer with a literacy program that utilizes the library’s facilities. "A library provides food for the mind, and is a center for the family and the community. The additional costs to upgrade our library are well worth it."

Other features of the proposed plan include:

•a 20 percent increase in shelving for the adult areas and a 15 percent increase in the children’s areas;

•additional seating throughout the library;

•an expanded and improved computer/technology network infrastructure;

•making the building completely handicapped accessible;

•adding storage room;

•upgrading the building’s lighting system.

"The Board hopes that the changes we made after the last bond vote will be acceptable to the voters," said Harry Lutz, board president. "We have incorporated a lot of the things that were brought to our attention and think we have the best plan for the future or our library."

A key issue in the plan is the decision to construct the new library with sufficient reinforcement to allow a second story addition in the future.

Lutz said the plan addresses the basic needs the library has, which include a lack of space for children’s programs, an upgrade of the infrastructure, a larger meeting room and parking. "We appreciate the patrons for their input ad concerns during this process," he said.