Merrick librarian named Bellmore director

Residents visiting the Bellmore Library over the next few weeks will be welcomed by a new, friendly face. Maureen Garvey, the library's new director, brings with her years of experience.

Before coming to the Bellmore Library, Garvey worked as assistant director of the Merrick Library. Garvey grew up in Merrick and attended St. John's University. Upon graduation, she worked part-time as a circulation clerk at the Norwalk Public Library in Connecticut. Garvey then joined the circulation services at the Merrick Library, where she eventually became head of circulation and technical processing. While working at the Merrick Library, Garvey went on to obtain her master's in library and information science from Queens College.

Garvey said, “I am looking forward to getting to know the staff and the community of Bellmore."

The new director first became interested in working in libraries when she was a teenager working at the Merrick Library part-time and helped to jump-start the Merrick Library's Teen Advisory Group. She holds a list of accomplishments since taking on a full-time role at the Merrick Library. Garvey was a founding member of the Nassau County Library Association’s Technology Committee, and she continues to be a member of the Long Island Reads Committee. During her time as Nassau County co-chairwoman of the committeee, Long Island Reads hosted events with award-winning authors Chang-Rae Lee, Candace Millard and Doris Kearns Goodwin. Garvey also served as the liaison between the Friends of the Merrick Library and the Historical Society of the Merricks, as well as led the popular Mystery Lover’s Book Club at the Merrick Library for many years. Garvey encourages residents to stop by and let her know what changes they are looking for at their library. "I hope people will come into the library to meet me and say hello," Garvey said. "There will be changes, but I hope to continue Bellmore Memorial Library’s tradition of warm and personal customer service.”

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