Say 'yes' to Rockville Centre library budget, re-elect Murray

The Rockville Centre Public Library is proposing a budget of $3.1 million, 2.9 percent larger than its current spending plan.

Library Director Maureen Chiofalo says that much of the increase is being driven by expenses beyond the library’s control, such as payments to the New York state retirement fund — which increased by 25 percent this year — and other contractual obligations. Those increases were offset by two retirements and spending cuts where possible. The facility is also continuing to move toward less expensive e-books and enhancing its online reference subscriptions, which will generate more savings.

We believe library officials have kept taxpayers in mind and eliminated all excess spending. The library’s budget continues to support a number of innovative, free and valuable services that are tailored to the needs of the community. We think the proposed spending plan is more than fair to support such an important and well-used institution.

Trustee William S. Murray Jr. — no relation to other Murrays in the public arena — is also on the ballot. He is running unopposed, but we encourage residents to show support for the fine volunteer work he does for the community by returning him to the library board.