Peninsula Public Library soars during Covid

In spite of the ongoing Covid pandemic, Peninsula Public Library, one of the smallest libraries in Nassau County by square footage, but one of the busiest in terms of materials circulated, is holding up well.

“We are trying and very happy with what we have accomplished,” Library Director Carolynn Matulewicz said. “We are the top circulating library in the county and the patrons are very happy with the curbside puck up and the Zoom programs. We are very happy with the numbers and they are very high. People are using the lockers and we have adjusted our operation to meet the needs. Dealing with Covid was very hard on the staff and people have stepped up. I’m very pleased.”

The proposed budget for 2022-2023 is a little more than $60,000 more than the current operating budget with the upticks in contractual obligations such as staff salaries and benefits. The proposed budget is $3.172 million. The current spending plan is $3.111 million.

“We are very responsible,” Board President Sarah Yastrab said when asked about PPL was doing concerning the annual fiscal plan. “It was very important in the last to year to be flat (no budget increase), but this last go around we couldn’t with the contractual obligations. But we did stay within the 2 percent tax cap.”

By the numbers, see box, PPL is very busy. The library on Central Avenue in Lawrence overhauled its public restroom through a $110,000 state grant and installed 39 lockers in conjunction with California-based Luxor One. The outside lockers, in the back of the building, allow patrons to pick up materials at their convenience.

Yastrab, 51, is the only board trustee running for re-election this year. She is running for her second 5-year term since winning election in 2011 to complete a 1-year unexpired term.

She said she plans to submit her petitions to run. “I’m looking to build upon the strengths we got,” Yastrab said. “We are a unifying place for the community,” adding that PPL offers programs for every age from child to seniors. “I want to see what happens after the dust settles after Covid and whatever is good for the community we will provide.”

The deadline for candidate petition submissions is April 18. The library budget and trustee vote is on the ballot along with the Lawrence School District budget and Board of Education vote on May 17.