Hewlett-Woodmere Public Library celebrates 75 years

From a single room at was Woodmere Elementary School to a small three-story house known as the Pearsall property to the modern building on that site at 1125 Broadway in Hewlett, the Hewlett-Woodmere Public Library holds a collection of nearly 200,000 books, periodicals, CDs, DVDs, CD-Roms, videotapes, and online databases to meet the needs of its more than 13,000 cardholdders.

Celebrating 75 years, the library has grown to become the co-central library for art and music in Nassau County, with a large collection.

Firmly entrenched in the digital age, HWPL offers e-books and online magazines, museum passes, digital comics and a website where patrons can access informationm on programs and services.

Library director William Ferro, a lifelong native of Gibson, who grew up with HWPL, said it has always placed patrons needs first. “Our initial purpose is to serve the community,” he said. “We’ve always tried to offer culturally enriching programs and services.

“We have art exhibits, we have a gallery, we hold concerts. A lot of people look to the library as the cultural meeting place; a lot of people just rely on us just as the place they come to be happy.”

The library also holds many children’s programs. One popular program is Book Bundles. After filling out a form, a child receives a librarian-curated selection of three to five books.

The library also offers JavaScript coding classes for children. There also daily, weekly and monthly events for the kids such as music lessons, escape rooms, arts and crafts, sign language classes, as well as SAT and ACT exam prep.

Library board president Leslie Eisenberg has not only been a trustee for nearly eight years but a library member for many years.

“As a longtime resident of this community, I know the value of our public library,” said Eisenberg, who is halfway through her second term as board president. “It has outstanding staff and provides a wide variety of services to all members of our community. The library is a cornerstone of what Hewlett-Woodmere can offer. The library does its best to offer resources, support and entertainment to as many people as possible through a host of activities and services.”

As the needs of its community shifts, the library aims to change and provide a safe and comfortable environment for community members who want to utilize their facilities.

Ellen Vaknine searves on the library board and is currently the treasurer. She said she views the library as a place where the community comes together, but noted that the Covid pandemic made it more difficult “for libraries to reposition themselves and figure out what their role in the community is.”

“I think our library needs to make itself visible to more people in the community who don't typically think of a library as a resource and a comfortable place to be,” Vaknine said, adding that one of her favorite activities is to complete the New York Times Crossword puzzle — which the library provides.

“Even though there's everything online these days, there's something really satisfying about taking an actual book and just sitting down and being able to use them,” she said.

To celebrate its 75th anniversary, Hewlett-Woodmere Public Library is planning a number of events and activities.