NVS to choose its home library

Residents of North Valley Stream will head to the polls on May 5 to vote for a local library that will be contracted as their home library — either Valley Stream’s Henry Waldinger Memorial or Elmont Memorial.

Residents of the North Valley Stream Library District, which covers areas of Elmont, Franklin Square and Valley Stream, chose the Elmont Memorial Library in the last election, in 2010. Mamie Eng, director of the Waldinger Library, said that with those votes went funding and visitors — two things a library needs to survive.

“Obviously, there is a large monetary gain if North Valley Stream residents choose our library,” she said. “If they did choose us, it would mean that we would have roughly $450,000 of new revenue for our budget, which would really make an impact for us. We would also see our library grow by quite a few numbers, which we would love. We see so many residents — who assume this is their library because they consider themselves Valley Streamers — who we have to send to Elmont to get their library card.”

The additional money would come from library fees, part of the local tax bill, paid by North Valley Stream residents to the winning library. The Waldinger Library’s fee would amount to $40 per household. Elmont’s would be $67.

Eng said that the increased revenue, which would supplement the library’s budget, would be invested in new programs and services.

“That money would really be utilized to make our library the best space it can be,” she said. “It would be used to fund new things we want to offer our visitors, such as 3-D printing, or new programs that our residents can attend and hopefully build a relationship with the library.”

Village Trustee Vincent Grasso said the lower tax rate would come as a result of an effort by the village board to improve its library.

“After North Valley Stream chose to patronize the Elmont library, the trustees all really agreed that we wanted to find a way to compete with that library, so to speak,” he said. “We increased the programs that we offer while finding ways to cut costs and offer a less expensive option to the voters.”

Simona Simone is a North Valley Stream resident who said she would be voting for the Waldinger Library. She said she believes the library would improve if it had more patrons.

“If all North Valley Stream residents choose the Waldinger Library, then we’ll be able to add more programs,” she said. She praised the staff there, singling out children’s librarian Jacklyn Kunz. “I take my kids to their programs often, and Mrs. Kunz does a great job. My kids have really loved all the programs there. They love going to family fun night, craft night and video game night ... They really do have great programs for kids of all ages.”

Roger Podell, director of the Elmont Memorial Library, said he has loved working with North Valley Stream residents, and believes his library has earned their vote once again.

“In the years since the people of North Valley Stream first voted for us, we’ve really done a lot,” he said. “We have events seven days a week, events for everyone — for all ages, from infants to adults. We have one of the largest selections of books in the county, and our staff, in my opinion, is the best staff around. They’re always searching for new ways to use all the great spaces that we have to service our visitors as best as we can.”

Elaine Catalanotti, a North Valley Stream resident, said she has voted for the Elmont Library in the past, and plans to vote for it again, because it “work[s] hard to earn my vote and my tax dollars.

“I love the Elmont Library,” Catalanotti said. “I’m there a few times a week with my grandchildren. There are great music programs, arts and crafts programs, a lot of stuff for young kids. There are also great activities for the older ones, including plays. During school vacations, there are always plenty of activities to keep the kids occupied. They do an absolutely great job.”

Polls will be open from noon to 9 p.m. on May 5, and residents will vote at their normal polling stations. Eng said that when voters enter the voting booth, they should keep in mind that library card holders can use them at any Nassau County library, no matter which is their home library.