BETHLEHEM — On Monday, May 9, the Bethlehem Public Library Board of Trustees presented the library’s proposed 2016-17 budget of just over $4 million. The levy portion of that budget comes in at about $3.75 million, an increase of 0.75 percent over last year and within the state-mandated spending cap.
The spending plan reflects continued savings in personnel expenses. Because of this, the library has been able to increase the budget line for the items and programs that patrons value. Careful financial planning has also allowed the library to budget for necessary facility upgrades with little impact on the taxpayer.
“This budget represents thoughtful planning by staff and members of the board of trustees to provide access to innovative collections and ensure our shared community space will be around for years to come,” said library director Geoffrey Kirkpatrick.
Bethlehem Central School District residents will vote on the budget Tuesday, May 17, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Bethlehem Central High School. Voters will also be selecting one candidates to fill an open seats with a five-year term on the board of trustees. The two candidates for that position are: Caroline Brancatella and Paula Rice.
The library vote is held in conjunction with BCSD’s budget vote. Details about the library budget and candidates are available at the library and on the website at www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org.
The following profiles were compiled from a voluntary questionnaire included in the candidates’ information packets. They are presented in ballot-box order.
PAULA RICE 
Delmar
Bethlehem resident: 35+ years
Occupation: Realtor
Community service/volunteer work
Past president Delmar Fire
Auxiliary, Lark Street BID event coordinator
Other pertinent details:
I have raised two daughters here in town.
Experience and goals
What do you consider your most meaningful career accomplishment?
Every day I work with current and potential new residents of the town. Helping those people find real happiness and settling in their dream home is always an accomplishment.
What skills do you bring to your tenure on the board?
I have very strong customer centric skills which certainly will translate to the board I work across all age ranges and feel that being a parent also will help as far as knowing what Millennials and other generations will want from the library.
What are your goals as a library board member?
I want to assist in any way I can to maintain such a fantastic facility and to bring new ideas and goals.
Views about libraries
How does a library best serve its community?
It is such a wonderful resource of information for our community. A library makes materials and information available at no cost or little cost to residents.
What are the most important issues facing public libraries today?
It is important to stay current with the endless changing digital media and determine the best use for the annual budget.
How are public libraries changing? How can a library board expedite these changes?
More people are using digital products and doing online research. Libraries need to stay current with digital trends and new technology.
How have libraries influenced your life?
The library has been such a wonderful resources for me and my children. The excitement of walking to the library for free concerts and story hours, as well as sitting quietly and reading.
What do you like best about the BPL?
It is providing such wonderful resources including museum passes, various classes 3D printing and more.
What is your vision for the future of this library?
To keep the public interested and informed on the library’s relevance and all of its resources.
CAROLINE BRANCATELLA
Delmar
Bethlehem resident: 2.5 years
Occupation: Attorney
Community Service/Volunteer Work: Co-Chair of University at Buffalo Law School Alumni Association, Albany Chapter; Board Member DePaul Housing Management (starting June, 2016); and volunteer at Beth Emeth soup kitchen.
Other pertinent details: I live in Olde Delmar with my husband and dog, Sasha.
Experience and goals
What do you consider your most meaningful career accomplishment?
My time at my current law firm has been my most meaningful professional accomplishment. It is challenging work that has forced me to acknowledge my strengths and weaknesses, and constantly work together with my colleagues to produce the best final product.
What skills do you bring to your tenure on the board?
My experience as an attorney makes me familiar with the structure and workings of a board, as well as the legal and operational challenges a board faces. But more than that, I bring genuine enthusiasm for the work the library does.
What are your goals as a library board member?
My goals are to further the efforts of the board, library director, and library staff to continue to make the library a valued resource for the community — by loaning items that include books and more, programming, making media and technology available, and remaining a gathering spot for the community.
Views about libraries
How does a library best serve its community?
A public library best serves its community by reflecting the needs and wishes of that particular community. That means that while each library should strive for certain basic services, each one should also be unique. The Bethlehem library best displays its uniqueness through its programming and constantly updated catalog.
What are the most important issues facing public libraries today?
The most important issues facing libraries today are the same ones facing most community organizations — maintaining the funding and infrastructure to meet an evolving community role that includes making available rapidly changing technology and media resources.
How are public libraries changing? How can a library board expedite these changes?
A library’s role is to remain aware of and adjust to changes in the community’s needs while still retaining its fundamental mission. It should adjust, but not over-correct. The Bethlehem library has done this well with e-books — they are readily available, but not at the loss of bound books.
How have libraries influenced your life?
The role of libraries in my life has shifted over time. As a child they were a source of imagination and fun. As a student they were both a source of information and physical place to study. As an adult they are a source of both enjoyment and continuing education.
What do you like best about the BPL?
The library is a tremendous source of reading material — it no doubt saves me a great deal in money and paper waste. I also enjoy the programming and recently attended a presentation by Bruce Coville, whose books I loved as a child. My current and younger selves were delighted.
What is your vision for the future of this library?
My vision for the future of the library is that it continue to serve as a neighborhood space, media center, and source of enrichment while accounting for what adjustments best suit the larger Bethlehem community.
