SMITHTOWN Library District Board Meeting - 10/28/08
This is the first occasion that LOCAL VIEWS has taken to tape the meetings of the Trustees of the Smithtown Special Library District. The intent is for the community to have the privilege of seeing how the elected members of this board make decisions on their behalf about an important institution that provides services to the Town.  The President, Erica Rinear and four members met on this evening with the Library Director Robert Lusak, Asst. Library Director  Robert Goykin, Sr. Administrative Asst. Joanne Grove, and Library Clerk Linda Taurassi before an audience to discuss issues related to the forward moving building expansions; the issue of an operating budget that was voted down in the last election and how they will resolve the problems especially in the critical financial climate. Unfortunately, two members were not in attendance, June Carlson and Eric Johansson. Unfortunate because, given the fact there was a recent election, the issues were critical and it would have been beneficial for all to hear their opinions when the board contained one newly elected member while another newly elected member sat in the audience. It is the hope that Local Views will make it possible for many in the community to hear what is happening at their Libraries and encourage them to become part of the dialogue as the Library moves ahead.

SMITHTOWN Library District Board Meeting - 12/16/08
The Smithtown Special Library District Board of Trustee Meeting was held on December 16th, 2008. Issues of importance that arose during their discussions were:
1. The Sale of Bonds for the new construction and release of funds.
2. Approval of several services and the questioning of saving money when negotiating new contracts and in the length of contracts
3. Computer services thru SCLS.
4. The concern that some of the people allowed to run special programs at the Library are doing so in conflict with the stated policy of a municipal institution.
5. Discussion on the cost of a newsletter to go out to the community, and the content.
6. Presentation of honors to the outgoing Chairman Erica Rinear, along with her own presentations.

SMITHTOWN Library District Board Meeting - 01/20/09
The first meeting of the year began with the election of a new President, Vice President and the addition of a new trustee; heads of committees were changed and new members named. Many interesting issues were brought up leading to the start of a review of policies. Concerns with the present means of paying outside vendors directly for programs held at the Library led to a discussion during the public's time to address the board.

SMITHTOWN Library District Board Meeting - 02/17/09
Board members began efficient discussion of the work of the Library with committee reports and a Director's report. Some discussion on the procedure to review and revise By-Laws; Adult programming will new a preliminary report before changes can be consider and the benefits and actions to go green.

SMITHTOWN Library District Board Meeting - 03/17/09
A Board Meeting that started slowly but built in momentum. People who regularly attend the meetings expressed much dissatisfaction. Returning volleys were cause for a lot of unrestrained heat. At another point an interesting commentary made by the former president of the trustees who was miffed by a story that recently came out in a local newspaper. Erica Rinear wanted to straighten out the record least anyone think she had lied or took advantage of the community. She has concluded that it was she who was lied to before she left office, as she agonized over her vote to move the library construction forward. Important meeting to watch. 

SMITHTOWN Library District Special Board Meeting - 03/25/09
President Eric Johansson called this special meeting with an agenda that addressed voting on the resolutions related to changes for each of the four libraries and a resolution to incorporate LEEDS into the construction process. Although the meeting was not highly advertised there was a full house in attendance. Several in attendance had questions on the new and old changes to buildings. In light of the fact that the Library was so close to finalizing their plans for the Library projects, it was surprising that some citizens are now making objections and demanding input, and at times overriding the advice of the professionals hired by the Board. Appearing unsympathetic to upsetting the cart, the concern of certain Kings Park residents were related to the esthetics of a building that differed from their ideal. The plans have been in place for a long time and any changes at this late date further delays the project and caused others in the audience to object to that fact. It was quite a meeting.

SMITHTOWN Library District Board Meeting - 04/21/09 (Part 1 of 2)


(Part 2 of 2)

SMITHTOWN Library District Board Meeting - 05/19/09

SMITHTOWN Library District Board Meeting - 06/16/09

SMITHTOWN Library District Board Meeting - 07/21/09

SMITHTOWN Library District Board Meeting - 08/18/09