Library budget vote is Oct. 24: Annual operating budget on ballot

On Saturday, Oct. 24, Shelter Island voters will have the opportunity to vote on the Shelter Island Public Library’s 2027 operating budget. 

The proposed budget represents an increase of $43,538 in tax support to the library next year. According to the Assessor’s office, a resident whose house is assessed at $1 million will pay $135.10 for the library tax levy in 2027, a nominal increase for some and possibly a decrease for others.

Traditionally, taxes collected from the Town do not cover all the library’s operating expenses. For the proposed 2027 budget, the tax levy will cover less than 85% of the operating expenses. According to Library Director Terry Lucas, that is well below the norm for libraries in Suffolk County. The balance is funded through philanthropy and fundraising efforts by the Friends of the Library nonprofit organization.

The operating budget is separate from the expansion project of the library, for which funding is in place.

A large portion of the budget is allocated to salaries for staff, nearly all of whom live on the Island, and several of whom have worked at the library for years. Another major expense is the cost of eBooks and audiobooks, for which there is “an overwhelming demand through Libby,” according to Ms. Lucas, referring to the free app for library users.

She explained that the cost of eBooks and audio books to libraries is several times the cost of such books to the average consumer, and the library gets a limited number of downloads for them. 

According to the New York Library Association (NYLA), one of the reasons these books are so costly is the publishers’ method of Metered Access (MA), in which these books expire from the library collection after a period established by the publisher. Since the demand for these titles is still high, the library must re-purchase them.

NYLA gave the example of the book “Demon Copperhead” by the popular author Barbara Kingsolving. An ebook retails to the average consumer at $12.99; an audiobook is $35.43. For a library, however, which must pay $137 each, 85 Metered Access uses would total $11,665.

Ms. Lucas praised the efforts of the library staff and volunteers, which have enabled the library to “do a lot with a little,” including working out of a trailer during the expansion project. For the past year, the library has served 2,592 library card holders with an estimated 64,700 visits to the library. Through Live-brary.com, there were 28,750 eBook and audiobook downloads. The library offered 934 programs, in person, via Zoom and hybrid, with 11,040 patrons in attendance. Ms Lucas expressed appreciation to other Island organizations for sharing their spaces during the construction.

In addition, the library has provided meeting space for nonprofit organizations, including the Senior Citizens Foundation and ArtSI. Islanders have benefited from internet access at the library, as well as Notary Public and other services. 

For youngsters, the library provides an introduction to the world of reading through story time, and offers a safe and friendly space for tweens and teens to visit after school to do homework, crafts, engage in book clubs and take part in games and contests.

The budget vote will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Shelter Island School. Anyone registered to vote on the Island is eligible to cast a ballot. There is a Voter Registration day scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 15, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the library.

Absentee ballots can be obtained from the District Clerk at the school on weekdays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. or at www.shelterisland.k12.ny.us 

Completed applications must be received by the clerk 7 days before the vote — by Friday, Oct. 16 — if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter or the day before the vote if it is to be delivered personally to the voter. All absentee ballots must be received by 1 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 23.