The Port Washington Public Library Board of Trustees hereby presents its proposed 2023-2024 fiscal year budget to the public with a 2% tax levy increase, the first increase since 2019.

As always, we have diligently ensured that the library is run efficiently and that all expenses are managed and contained as best as possible. With that in consideration, we have developed this budget with a recognition of the needs of our community, the requirements to keep our facility in shape and a regard to the current fiscal environment.

We feel that this is a well thought-out and forward-thinking budget which will allow us to continue to serve the community in a way that you have come to count on.

We wish to express our appreciation to all constituents, whose collective contributions have enabled us to deliver on our mission through this unique and unprecedented time in history. Thanks to the generosity of our donors and volunteers, and to the dedication of our peerless staff, the library has adapted and evolved in new and transformative ways to meet today’s needs.

Here are just a few of the significant highlights from this past year:

· In-person and online lifelong enrichment continued with English classes, Children’s Story Time, Books for Dessert (our reading program for adults with intellectual disabilities), world-class lectures, book discussions, exercise classes and more.

· Substantial progress was completed in our multi-year, multi-million dollar facilities maintenance and improvement plan, with upgrades and repairs made to our restrooms, roof and façade.

· Musical events, featuring top-class performers from all genres, took place in our library and at Sunset Park.

· Our immensely popular Manhasset Bay Boat Tour program returned, allowing those without boat access the ability to experience Port Washington’s beautiful waters.

· Special cultural celebrations commenced, honoring both Hispanic Heritage Month and Lunar New Year.

· Popular services, such as VHS to DVD conversion, virtual one-on-one tech help, job and career training and document notarization, were provided.

· Additional museum passes were made available and many patrons utilized our library of Games and Gadgets, which offers loanable Chromebooks, Wi-Fi hotspots, musical instruments, lawn games, GoPro cameras, video game consoles and more to take home.

· Digital content, such as eBooks, eAudiobooks, music, movies, training videos and television shows were readily available through popular services such as Libby, Kanopy, LinkedIn Learning and Hoopla.

· Home delivery of materials to ensure our most vulnerable community members continue to access library items.

We sincerely appreciate your patronage and engagement. As we look to the future, we will strive to enhance the lives of our families, friends and the Port Washington community. Please come to the library to vote on Tuesday, April 4 between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.

Patricia Bridges
President, PWPL Board of Trustees