Peninsula Public Library increase spending

The proposed 2023-2024 budget for the Peninsula Public Library is $3.2 million. The Peninsula Public Library serves the more than 35,000 residents of School District 15.

During the height of the pandemic, the library was able to maintain a  budget without increases, but had a relatively small increase in the budget this year. The current fiscal plan  is $3.172 million.

“Everything went up a lot in the last two years and we kept a flat budget during the rough times during Covid when we had closed for a bit,” said library Director Carolynn Matulewicz.

Peninsula Public Library is one of the smallest libraries in Nassau County by square footage, but one of the busiest in terms of materials circulated, and Matulewicz said that the library remained very busy this year.

“We’re excited to see that we are back to normal and above normal circulation,” Matulewicz said. Our circulation has been through the roof and we have the top circulation in Nassau County.”

The library overhauled its public restroom through a $110,000 state grant and installed 39 lockers in conjunction with California-based Luxor One, last year.  Matulewicz added that there is still a desire to address the small space of the library with the growing population in the community,

“We haven’t had success finding another property that we can purchase,” Matulewicz said. “That’s been a difficult problem for the last 15-plus years in this community. We’re doing our best but for the busiest library in Nassau County, we’re one of the smallest and one of the oldest.

She added the library is working with the Lawrence board to see what can be done in the coming years.

“One of the issues we can’t change is we have a really small parking space,” she said. “Our community keeps growing and patrons keep growing and we were not growing along with them.”

Incumbent Trustee Samuel Francis is running unopposed for his third five-year term . Francis was first elected in 2013.

A partner in the investment funds group in the New York office of Kirkland & Ellis LLP, Francis is an  attorney and a ,  certified public accountant. He has  been a resident of Cedarhurst for more than 15 years.

“We consistently rank as one of the busiest libraries in Nassau County,” he said. “As elected trustees, we are dedicated to serving the best interests of all our constituents. The library serves a vital role for every member of the community. People of all ages and backgrounds are welcome, including students from both public and private schools. The library provides materials, programs, and services which empower us to thrive in our various pursuits and endeavors.”

Voting on the library budget and  for trustee  takes place on Tuesday, May 16 from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., along with the Lawrence school district  budget,  trustee and proposition vote.

To vote, go to  the Primary School at the Number Two School at 1 Donahue Ave. in Inwood; Lawrence Middle School at 195 Broadway in Lawrence; Lawrence High School at 2 Reilly Road in Lawrence; and Atlantic Beach Village at 65 The Plaza in Atlantic Beach, depending on where you live in the school district.