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Post by justfacts on Sept 16, 2005 20:12:18 GMT -5
Since there are some who have repeatedly knocked my attendance at the Library, and have stated untruths or: let me be kinder; stated their unverified and unsupported beliefs about the library, I decided to open this Thread to let other Plainedge residents know what's going on at the library.
Let's hit a major item first. The annual statistics, kept by the Nassau Library System and verified by the Plainedge Library, show that Plainedge residents borrowed items from other libraries last year. They borrowed a total of 3,711 of them. That would seem to substantiate some claims made of Plainedge patrons seeking other libraries for resources.
However, in the reciprocal borrowing system required by the State for Library access, last year patrons from other libraries borrowed 17,934 items from Plainedge! That's about 5 items loaned out for each item a Plainedge resident borrowed elsewhere.
And this is done by one of the smaller libraries in the system. Compare the surrounding Plainview-Old Bethpage, Levittown and Farmingdale library budgets with Plainedge.
In the library systems in Nassau (NLS), we don't think of this as a tit-for-tat measure, but as a measure of how convenient we can make it for any patron to get to any item - even if it is in an upstate library you can go to your local library to reserve it --- and when it comes in you can check it out locally and return it locally.
It is also a cooperative library system measure of patron access to materials they could not otherwise afford. Special CD's from Plainedge's collection are sought after from the remotest corners of the State. Our Patrons seek special collection items from other Libraries.
The total collection of books and patron materials accrued by the library judiciously over the last few years amounts to just $1200 shy of $4,000,000. Quite a valuable resource available to Plainedge residents.
Each of you "owns" a collection of this size. We in the Library recognize that it is the Plainedge community that has paid for it all and owns it all. You are "the Boss". We just run it for you the best way we can. If you don't like what we are doing ask us to fix it. We'll try. If we don't try hard enough, replace us.
And, Library Trustees don't take "perks" for our services - in my 33 years on this Board and 5 years on the NLS Board, there has not been one nickle, one penny paid to me - for trips, conferences, cell phones, home PCs, or even mileage.
And - all of the other Library Trustees can say the same thing. If there's a meeting or conference that is worthwhile, I'll go! But on my own nickle!
If Plainedge Library did not exist any longer, despite false claims that residents could go elsewhere, they would have no entry card into the cooperative system. (No Library, No Card).
Despite what we could save by not paying an annual library tax of about $300 per that ficticious household in Plainedge, it would cost us over $300 per library card to join one of the surrounding libraries.
The whole library system in Nassau and Suffolk County is not a stupid entity - it knows what it costs to operate and provide services. It has not set up a system whereby "freeloaders" from other districts can use the services that their own patrons pay taxes to have.
So those that would try to implant the idea that the Library budget money could be transferred into other Programs at the school, are either trying to mislead the people they talk to satisfy their own purposes, or they are just plain ignorant - of the facts.
No Library?, then no library tax money approved by the voters to go to the school. Plus! now each family that uses the library and needs more than one library card, will pay twice as much as the Plainedge Library costs. More cards, more money paid.
As an indication of how active the Plainedge library is, last year's transactions increased by 7,465 to a total for the year of 141,468. About a 6% increase in use. The real measure here is many of the transactions were for new materials, materials bought in response to patrons suggestions and requests.
The Library Board meeting is scheduled for this coming Wednesday, September 21 at 7:00 pm, as posted on the Library's active web site and as advertised on the front of the monthly Library Newsletter, mailed to each home.
The first item on the agenda is - - - Community Comments. Yes, every regular monthly meeting is open to the public and every meeting provides for community input on its agenda. The Library Trustees welcome you and encourage you to come to meetings - but we will not berate you if you are not able to come.
Of course, there are occasions where Trustees have to go into executive session, but they are most often listed on the Agenda beforehand. And the explicit reason for doing do (there are only 8 allowable reasons under the Open Meetings Law) is recorded in the Minutes of the meeting.
I'll continue Library information on this thread if you want me to do so. If any questions about Trusteeship or Library operations come up, I'll do my best to answer them.
But this is NOT an open invitation to "pot-stirrers" or other witches - those posts will get the attention they deserve. No genuine question will be ignored and I'll back all with facts or a personal showing of source documents.
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Post by jdavola on Sept 16, 2005 20:26:49 GMT -5
Hey Mr ED!!!
Plainedge residents should have it all!!!!
That's what I've been saying...but some people like to listen to a talking horse...You Go!!!!
Vote Yes.
Peace out. Remember...pray for the victims.
JD
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Post by yruohk on Sept 16, 2005 23:35:43 GMT -5
rinx Don't waste your time with someone that has nothing to contribute here. He's here to incite and to try to brow beat. Ignore the fool. This person is nothing but a puppet and all of us know who the puppet master is. Rinx...you're right. We're gathered together here in unity to set right what's amiss. The thrashing mentality is his comfort zone, therefore, what else can be expected? Small mentalities vanish when overcome by truth. justfacts I'll continue Library information on this thread if you want me to do so. If any questions about Trusteeship or Library operations come up, I'll do my best to answer them.
But this is NOT an open invitation to "pot-stirrers" or other witches - those posts will get the attention they deserve. No genuine question will be ignored and I'll back all with facts or a personal showing of source documents. Justfacts...what would we do without you? Patience, truth, articulation, and just facts! Why would anyone in this lovely district of Plainedge not want to know about the Library, the schools and all that involve the residents of this community? As for the pot stirrers, we can't expect better from them for they are the ones who stirred well to bring this community to say: ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! Thanks to those who came to my support when manure was flung at me at the meeting and on this forum. With all the darkness in this world it gives us hope that these glimmers of light will vanish the dark. Each of you has been a beacon of light! Keep shining for our day has come! Honebee...you're awesome! Go girl!
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Post by jdavola on Sept 17, 2005 11:10:45 GMT -5
HEY ACE!!!
You posted:
Thanks to those who came to my support when manure was flung at me at the meeting and on this forum. With all the darkness in this world it gives us hope that these glimmers of light will vanish the dark. Each of you has been a beacon of light! Keep shining for our day has come!
What do you expect when you hang out in the BARN with the HORSE?
Show some love will ya?
Peace out. Remember...Pray for the victims.
Love Y'all,
JD
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Post by justfacts on Sept 17, 2005 13:33:31 GMT -5
I apologize for the "off-topic" comments others made here - but I have little control over another's ability to talk about issues other than the Library on this thread.There has been a recent bit of interest in the School District Calendar which is no longer delivered to each household in Plainedge. The Plainedge Library has this item for its patrons to use. To make it even more accessible, the Library has put it on its web-site for downloading to a printer. The Plainedge School District Calendar is set up to be printed on a set of individual horizontal pages. The on-line copy should be rotated counterclockwise if you want to view it a page at a time on the website. Your Adobe PDF file viewer has provisions to do this on its task-bar (on the top of its screen) just to the right of the "Zoom" feature. Here is the direct link the Library provides for residents to the School District Calendar: www.nassaulibrary.org/plnedge/bulletins/Plainedge0506.pdfI can click on the above address with the mouse button to go directly to the site. But, if that doesn't work on your browser, then just use your "Copy & Paste" feature to copy this site to the Address box on your browser. Thank you School District and Thank you Library for this information.
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Post by yruohk on Sept 17, 2005 14:24:57 GMT -5
You posted: manure was flung JD That manure was flung by those whose systems backed up and it came out the wrong orifice. In my profession, I normally suggest colon-hydrotherapy so there is no danger of back-up. When one has no "facts" to support their loose tongue one must rely on non-pertinent information such as what you offer.
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Post by justfacts on Sept 17, 2005 15:07:33 GMT -5
I apologize for the "off-topic" comments others make here - but I have little control over another's ability to talk about issues other than the Library on this thread. Beginning October 17, 2005 the Library will restart its Homework Help Center (HHC) activities for Grades K-8. Homework help is provided by National Honor Society (NHS) volunteers under the supervision of Mr. Garcia, the Plainedge High School NHS Advisor. Elementary and Middle school students are welcome to come to the Plainedge library on Tuesday evenings and/or Wednesday afternoons for this homework help. The program runs through to mid-May 2006. Call the Library - 516-735-4133, for details or use the library site to keep updated on details; www.nassaulibrary.org/plnedge/For homework help from home you can use the Nassau Library system's Homework Help site; www.nassaulibrary.org/childrens/hhelp.html I apologize for the "off-topic" comments others make here - but I have little control over another's ability to talk about issues other than the Library on this thread.
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Post by techie on Sept 17, 2005 17:41:51 GMT -5
"justfacts",
You do deserve a great deal of credit for all the things you have fought for in this community. Thirty + years of service for free is not repayable.
I just don't understand,... If you are a "Library dwelling-anti-childrens education" person, why do you have AGAIN that homework program for the kids?!? And whats with all those papers bound with covers in "that place" that you dwell? You know, you really should do something to get rid of them. (maybe burn them?) ALL they can lead to is EDUCATION!
And why have you devoted your life to giving talks on subjects to "teach" people about computers? Also let me not forget the AWARDS and CERTIFICATES that you have gotten for going to countless "Career Days" at schools on Long Island to tell the kids about the Engineering, Electronics, and Magazine Editorship Fields. What about the VERY generous funding that you did last year to a local school that was in need and couldn't get funds that it needed for renovation?
I'm sorry, but this just had to be said. Too many people speak without knowing the "facts" or "justfacts"
Now I really have to know,... where's the love?..........
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Post by jdavola on Sept 17, 2005 17:46:17 GMT -5
And why do you advocate that people vote no on the school budget???
That's what the sign on the INSIDE of the library told its' visitors to do!!!
Aswer that one...
Show some love...
Peace out. Remember....Pray for the vicims.
JD
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Post by techie on Sept 17, 2005 18:14:11 GMT -5
ANYONE that put up a sign for voting either way on the budget was WRONG!
Signs were pulled down as soon as they were seen for "how" to vote.
But there were ALOT more illeagally posted signs for provotes. And not just at the library. This is not even an issue at this time. I suggest that we make "someone" responsible to check on signs next vote to make sure everything is done correctly. May I suggest you step up for the community? Just one more time?
Also if you say that no-one uses that Library, and your "ilk" says people have to go to the Farmingdale Library, why would your comments about a simple sign at that location get you so riled?
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Post by jdavola on Sept 17, 2005 20:24:58 GMT -5
Whoa Techie!!!
IT IS AN ISSUE AT THIS TIME....PEOLPLE ARE WASHING CARS TRYING TO MAKE UP THE MONEY THE NO VOTERS TOOK AWAY!!!!
I'm not riled...I don't get riled...don't put words in my mouth. I never said people don't use our library...re-read my post...I wrote that "Plainedge residents should have it all...VOTE YES".
The only sign I saw posted on the INSIDE of the library window right next to the book drop that said to "vote no it will cost you $1000". Now, anyone who doesn't wear blinders knows that most people pay a different dollar amount of school tax (in dollar amounts....don't want anyone to misinterpret). The library director..if she knew about this was wrong to allow it...if she did not know it was there, well why doesn't she know what's going on in her own library?...What kind of job is she doing?
Only horses wear blinders.
Not just a simple sign....a sign of simple minds!!!
Peace out. Remember...pray for the victims.
Love Y'all... JD
ps: you're doing a good job of trying to figure out who I am...keep up the good work.
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Post by arascabe on Sept 17, 2005 21:02:47 GMT -5
Wow, just when I thought I’ve seen and heard it all in this community, I discover this website.
My first impulse is to congratulate “jdevola” – you are the only person on this website, (which is supposed to give information about our SCHOOLS), to actually use the word EDUCATION!!!
My second impulse is to laugh and cry simultaneously at the rest of you. You sound like a bunch of bad actors in a spy movie. All of your favorite buzz words are right out of the script: covert mission, cloak and dagger, tape recording, censoring, hacking, checking with attorneys. If you believe for one minute that this is providing a valuable service to the community, then please don’t quit your day jobs.
Your coverage of the school board meetings provides no information about what my children are learning in school, or how the school district is performing academically. I know that the principals and administrators give a report each month about everything that is going on, and since I will have children in school for the next decade, I want to be an informed and involved parent. That’s my motivation for coming out to a school board meeting. I want to be assured that my hard earned tax dollars are being spent in the classroom. None of you mentioned all the wonderful student awards, our ranking among other districts or the fact that even our “special” children are meeting and exceeding the state’s requirements. That’s something to be proud of and to share with as many people as possible… so why aren’t you?
Instead you spend all of your time criticizing and insulting the very people who are making these things happen. Sorry to rain on your parade, but we do actually have to pay people to do these jobs. And, as long as they are producing the results I want for my children, I don’t begrudge them the salaries they are being paid. Maybe they’d be more congenial and receptive at meetings if those asking questions really wanted answers rather than a public forum to be bullies and know-it-alls.
Thanks, but no thanks… I’ll get my information from credible sources.
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Post by justfacts on Sept 18, 2005 10:26:42 GMT -5
Some recent posts center around a Library topic about messages displayed in the Library. Both Techie and Jdavloa discuss a particular posting of a sign that said "Vote NO", or thereabouts in its content.
This sign has been used as a "sore-spot" issue other times on this Forum by board members. To them, I've addressed that fact that political Advocacy signs are not allowed in the Library, and the Director made the rounds and pulled them down every half hour. She never gave permission for them to be posted in the first place.
Jdavola either doesn't want to accept that fact, or let the topic go, so we can pursue cooperative work together. Let that be Jdavola's cause, let others drop the issue because they know the following;
Since April 23,1970 the Library has had, and enforced, a policy about bulletin boards. It is called "Bulletin Board Policy" Any member of the community can obtain a copy of this policy from the Library Director. I've worked on revisions and updates of this policy and have more than a passing familiarity with it - and its enforcement.
It has parts based upon the "Advocacy Law" and Commissioner's Decisions, items that I referred Dr. Richman to in a recent e-mail and covered in my Petition to the Commissioner. I will show that to anyone that is interested - over a cup of coffee at a local diner. (It is too large, and off-topic, for presenting on this Forum)
This information is presented here for all Forum members, not just a few.
Excerpts:
1) Designated Library Staff must approve all notices, posters and brochures. Only designated staff can post or remove notices. Once notices are removed, they are discarded. . . . 4) Any announcement, poster or handout that advocates the election or defeat of a candidate for public office or is of a political or religious persuasion will not be accepted. . . . 6) No sign, poster or announcement may be posted on the walls of the Library, in or around the exterior of the building or on the doors. . . . 10) Items on display or available for handouts do not imply endorsement by the Library.
If any Patron sees material objectionable to them that is posted, they can, in an adult manner and response, call it to the attention of the Library Director - who will remove it if it fails to meet these Policy requirements.
To see it, let it remain, and then gripe about it to others, is not an adult response. To then later complain that the staff of the Library did not do its job during the time that you were there, or if they had overlooked it because of its location and you did not call it to their attention at the time that it offended you, is not a mature and cooperative action. You become part of the offensive violation of the policy by your silence at that time.
Please cooperate with the Library in enforcing this policy, especially during the upcoming year and for next year's budget vote.
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Post by jdavola on Sept 18, 2005 12:07:36 GMT -5
Hey Mr. ED!!!
You want to let the topic go?...is that it???...Let others drop the issue???....WE WILL NOT LET GO....WE WILL NOT DROP THE ISSUE....THE ISSUE IS THE VOTE...VOTE YES...NOT VOTE NO!!!!
The sign on the inside of the window at the book drop was placed at closing time so as to reamin there most of the weekend!! WHO POSTED IT??? Apparently someone who advocates to vote no!!! That's the point..you don't seem to be in touch with the people who want it all for ALL members of the community...we ALL deserve to have a complete and well rounded educational programs that include sports, clubs and other activities....WE ALL benefit as a COMMUNITY....
So...what does it feel like to look out from the barn from the other side, Mr. ED?...Seems now that you would like us to just leave you and this forum the way YOU want it to be...It's going to be the way the COMMUNITY wants it....SOUND FAMILIAR??
Peace out. Remember..pray for the victims.
JD
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Post by elphaba65 on Sept 18, 2005 13:03:30 GMT -5
Gone a few days and so much to read. Arascabe, please continue to write, I noticed the same thing. Unfortunately, people will read and believe what is posted on this website just as they read the flyers, (unsigned of course) and believed that. I asked what year the scores were from that were posted on this website and no response. Those was the same "stats" that were on flyers before the budget vote. I hope viewers did go the web site I mentioned to get accurate scores. Jdavola, an additional piece to the above, Mr. Ed is correct, there was at least one other sign at the library, it was on the outside of the window covering up the sign that was inside the window stating our taxes would increase by $1000.00 if we voted yes. If the Library Director took down the sign on the outside it makes me wonder why she didn't take down the sign it was covering.
Please cooperate with the Library in enforcing this policy, especially during the upcoming year and for next year's budget vote.
Mr. Ed, if you really believe that perhaps you and your son should not be bragging at block parties how you got the budget defeated. Don't forget this is Plainedge, everything gets around.
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