By Stephanie Healion
(Trustee Candidate Forum is this Thursday night, 10/6 at
the Nesconset Branch at 7 pm)
Its election time again for the Smithtown Library Board of Trustees! On Tuesday October 11, 2011 the Smithtown Library will be hosting the election for new trustees. The important responsibilities of the board of trustees include overseeing the budget, the smooth running of the library and its programs, and currently, the long anticipated completion of the renovations and restorations that have been ongoing since 2008.
There are seven trustee positions, including the President and the Vice President, with two open positions to be filled with this election. Board member Carolyn Ciarelli’s term expires this year and she has not chosen to run for re-election, so her position will be filled. The position of Vice President is currently held by Anthony Monteleone, and he is in the running for re-election as his term expires this year as well.
Anthony Monteleone, who has served on the board since 2002, explains his own hopes and goals if he were to be re-elected. “My only agenda on the board is to serve the community and its patrons. I’d like more people to see what a wonderful library system this is, with all its services and benefits that they may not realize they have. Libraries are available to people of every age with no regard to income; all they need is a library card. It’s such a fantastic gem in their own backyard.”
Monteleone also spoke of issues concerning parking in certain branches and the 2011 budget. “There are a few problems with parking in Commack that are being addressed, and we are increasing the amount of handicap spots in Nesconset. The budget is doing well, passed with only a 1.7% increase, so the average home would only be paying about six dollars more. The renovations are on schedule, and those branches should be open in early spring.” Monteleone has been a major proponent in the library’s success, working with the library since 1999 and as a member of the Friends of the Library since 2001.
Candidate Otis Thornhill, President of the Friends of the Library since 2008, also has some positive changes he’d like to see. “It’s important that the library be conversant and comfortable with new technology, such as Kindles and Ipads. I’d like to get some library staff training and equipment that brings the library up-to-date. The staff should have a comfort level with the new technology.” Thornhill says that people are coming in with questions regarding their Ipads and Kindles, interested in using them with the library’s resources. He would like to make sure that the library staff has the ability to answer inquiries regarding the new technology, getting on board with the rapidly increasing use of technology in libraries everywhere.
Thornhill would also like to increase the amount of favorable publicity for the library. “It’s also important for the trustees and the board to make services known to the community. There is not enough positive publicity for the programs that are available. I’d like to help find a media effort at a cost-effective price. The library has so many great programs and opportunities that the community should be more aware of.” Thornhill’s also wants to ensure for the public the 2012 completion of the reconstruction and renewal project.
Rosalind Palazzolo, a board trustee from 2008 to 2010, is the final candidate for the election. Palazzolo intends to increase the flow of information between the trustees at work sessions, so that everyone has all the information needed to successfully accomplish necessary goals regarding the library. “Workshop meetings would allow all members of the board to know exactly what’s discussed and exactly what we are voting on. If you only have one or two board members that know what is going on in a particular area, then you don’t get all the information. People need to know the background of what they’re voting on.” Palazollo is determined to reconstruct the communication of the board to make important information more available to not only all members of the board, but also to the entire community. She also plans on obtaining grants from Senator Flanagan and Assemblyman Fitzpatrick for the Smithtown Library.
The library’s two branches in Nesconset and Commack will be the polling locations for the election, as the Smithtown main branch and the Kings Park branch are currently under construction. The Smithtown Library website has details on what residents should be voting where. As always, it is up to the residents to vote for a passionate, driven and community-oriented person as their new trustee.