Library: ‘Doing the best to meet the ongoing needs of our community'

To the editor: The Board of the Monroe Free Library would like to thank all the staunch supporters who voted for the yearly budget referendum in this week’s election. We know you appreciate the challenges that the library faces. We regret that changes caused by the now-required austerity budget will affect you, our loyal patrons. The rising energy costs, compounded with an old building facing repairs, and cost of living increases for our dedicated staff will negatively impact our 2006 budget. To make up for the shortfall, cost savings measures will have to be implemented in January which may include a reduction in operating hours, a charge for some services that are currently free, cutbacks in programming, and/or an increase in fines. This loss has come at a critical time when the Library Board has started preliminary steps to acquire land on our own in the village, as requested by you, our constituents, for the Monroe Free Library expansion project. Despite the defeated budget, we are doing our best to meet the ongoing needs of our community, keep you informed and move forward with this building project. If you would like to contribute to the library’s annual Fund Drive, see our Web site at www.monroelibrary.org. Sincerely, Denise Harris, President Monroe Free Library Board of Trustees