Library Budget Is Approved

The East Hampton Library’s 2017 budget, a $2.46 million spending plan that includes a 6.9-percent year-over-year spending increase, passed Saturday with a final tally of 93 to 16.

“The importance of the East Hampton Library as a community resource and center of education is confirmed by the fact that the library’s budget vote passed once again,” Sheila Rogers, the president of the library’s board of trustees, said in a statement.

Of the $158,243 increase in the budget, a little more than half, or $83,800, will come from tax increases from each of the three school districts whose residents collectively vote to approve the budget. East Hampton district residents voted 72 to 15 to approve the budget, while Springs residents voted 16 to 1 in favor, and five Wainscott residents all voted yes. The tax increase works out to about $5.32 more per household for the year. The rest of the revenue will come from increased donations, state aid, library fines and fees, and other sources.

The library will spend about $78,000 more on staff salaries, benefits, Social Security payments, and taxes next year. Also included in the budget is $4,000 more for books, movie DVDs, music CDs, and other materials; $7,500 more for classes, lectures, children’s story time sessions, and other such programs, and $8,000 more in expenses related to its physical facilities. The library will also spend $13,500 more on fund-raising, which is expected to yield more than $300,000 in revenue next year and has amounted to nearly $20 million since 1995.

“We are looking forward to a great year that will include new programs, services, and materials, and even some great new library space for our local residents to enjoy,” Dennis Fabiszak, the library’s director, said in an email. C.S.