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Mostly Cloudy Island Park librarian retires after 50 years
Library honors Wanda Allegra with a surprise ceremony
The Island Park Public Library honored Wanda Allegra for her 50 years of service to the village institution in a ceremony and party last Tuesday evening. Family members, friends and local officials also offered their thanks to Allegra for her famed warmth and kindness over the decades.
“There is so much love in this room,” Allegra said. “I enjoyed working here for 50 years. After all that time, they’re like family instead of being co-workers.”
Allegra said the pandemic has been difficult, as safety precautions have limited how many people can congregate at the library and masks hide half their faces.
Island Park Mayor Michael McGinty and Town of Hempstead Councilman Anthony D’Esposito thanked Allegra, offering her the key to the village and a town commendation, respectively. “There are few things in my life that are more important than this community in Island Park, and you’ve served it, and we thank you,” D’Esposito told Allegra during the short ceremony.
“You never had a sweeter message on your machine for having a book overdue,” Library Director Jessica Koenig joked. Koenig presented Allegra with a glass, book-shaped piece of jewelry with thanks for her half-century at the library inscribed on it.
Wanda’s son Rob Allegra, his wife, Tammi, and their daughter, Lisa, said they were elated to have the community lift up the retiring Allegra. “The library is everything to her,” Tammi said. Besides working there, Allegra also takes part in several clubs there. All three said they will remember her time at the library and especially her appearances as Mrs. Claus as an incredible gift to her fellow residents.
Library employees Jean Borati and Tina Gonzalez said they will remember their colleague as a mentor and family member. “She always has a smile on her face and is willing to help in any capacity,” Borati said.
The ceremony was not really a goodbye to the treasured librarian, as Allegra will continue to see her old co-workers and friends when she comes to the building for the Scrabble club she founded. “The vibe of that club is entirely Wanda,” Koenig said in closing.
