Seaford Public Library to up services

Library taxes in Seaford are expected to rise about $5 next year for the average homeowner, and residents can expect an increase in services.

The Seaford Public Library Board of Trustees adopted its proposed budget on March 9, and the public will vote on the plan next month. If approved, spending would increase by 1.53 percent, or about $30,000, to $2.2 million.

The tax levy would rise by the same amount to just under $2 million. The increase is below the tax cap limit, meaning a simply majority will be needed to pass the budget.

The library would commit an additional $4,100 to programs. Library Director Frank McKenna said he is looking to add activities for teenagers and seniors citizens, while having the flexibility to create more programs as needed for all ages. He would like to have more informational lectures for seniors, while creating more hands-on programs for teens.

“We have a great children’s program,” McKenna said. “The challenge is to keep the kids reading as they move on in age.” He added that more will be done to liven up the teen area in the lower level of the library.

He said the budget will also fund the purchase of more electronic books and museum passes for families. “We’re always trying to be responsive to the wants and needs of the community,” McKenna said.

Money will be put into the library’s building fund for the planned renovation of the bathrooms. Peter Ruffner, the president of the Board of Trustees, said the work will likely be done in 2016, and will cost about $250,000 to redo four bathrooms.

Ruffner said that while the bathrooms are clean and safe, they are very dated and look like they are from the 1950s. He also explained that the bathrooms need to be updated to improve handicapped accessibility.

McKenna said that the renovations are part of a years-long project to overhaul the library. The heating and air conditioning system has been replaced, a new roof put on and new automatic doors installed. The library also converted from oil heat to gas.

“It’s an aging building, so we need to keep on top of that,” McKenna said. Seaford is one of the few public libraries that owns its building.