Long Beach library board race heats up

Three candidates are vying for two seats on the Long Beach Public Library board, and are seeking the public’s vote on May 16.

Residents will also vote on the library’s $3.4 million budget.

Warren Vegh, who has been a library board trustee for 15 years, is up for re-election for a fourth term. Kathleen Dwyer, who previously served on the board from 2005 to 2015, is also up for election after she was appointed to a vacant seat last year when former trustee Alan Greenberg resigned due to health issues.

Sam Pinto, an education and outreach ambassador at SunPower by EmPower Solar, a local career firefighter, public safety educator and president of the Eastholme Civic Association, is running for a position on the board for the first time.

A Parent-Teacher Association candidates’ forum will be held on May 8 at the Long Beach City Hall at 7 p.m., where the library board candidates will be allotted three minutes to speak about their platforms.  

The proposed $3.4 million budget increased by 1.67 percent over the current spending plan, Vegh said. He added that the budget includes a 1.74 percent tax levy increase, and said that Long Beach taxpayers would pay an additional $4 a month per household.

“This allows us to increase the number of festivals we have every year,” Vegh said, and explained that the budget maintains all programs and services.

Vegh also noted the library’s recent efforts to acquire more computer databases for patrons to search for information in an organized manner. The library also installed a 3-D printer in the children’s area last year. “We’re bringing in the technology, but not neglecting the books,” he said.

Vegh, who has owned a commercial pool business for 31 years, said he’s running for a board position again because he feels that his work with the library isn’t finished, and that his business skills benefit the board.

“I’ve been overseeing two satellite branches — one in Point Lookout and one in the West End,” he said. “Each end is a different type of community with the main branch holding everything together.”

Pinto — who said he has been a vocal advocate on behalf of residents and taxpayers who were opposed to the 20-year tax break that the developer iStar was seeking to build luxury apartments on the Superblock, overdevelopment and those who have called for more robust medical services after the closure of Long Beach Medical Center — said he’s running to encourage residents to use the library as a community resource.

“In my experience of being civically engaged, I wanted to bring my skill set and make sure the library can be all it can be,” he said.  “I’m not looking to change too much. I’m hoping to work with the board and bring my fresh perspective to help serve the community.”

He also said he’d encourage residents to use the West End branch as a safe place for students to spend time during the summer when the schools are closed.

“I want people to remember that [the library] is the arts and social hub for our community,” Pinto said. ‘As a board member, I want to make sure that there is as much community collaboration as possible.”

Dwyer said her experience studying at Hofstra University and working in the event management field is relevant to serving as a library board trustee.

“This year’s budget was carefully designed based on feedback from staff, patrons and attendees at our programs to serve the entire community,” Dwyer said. “We are exploring a municipal agreement with the schools which would minimize operating costs to benefit taxpayers.”

She added that many of the library staff members are serving in new roles with the aim to expand digital access for people of all ages.

“I have been a library patron since I came to Long Beach and I make it my business to do my part to keep people informed and involved,” Dwyer said.