By Dana Williams
While librarians were helping to direct patrons to the section of their choice and other visitors were reading books in the library's Quiet Study area, club members gathered in the Children's Library to present Director Regina Mascia with a check for $4,400, which will pay for two community bulletin boards.
The West Hempstead Rotary Club, which has served the hamlet since 1956, aims to promote ethical standards in business and provide services for the community, among other goals. Last May, the club brought in about $15,000 in an annual fundraiser, and members pledge to use some of the proceeds to buy bulletin boards for the library. The club presented a $1,000 down payment to library officials last September.
One bulletin board is in the Children's Library, and the other is near the library's main entrance. The donation is one of many initiatives Rotary has taken to help improve West Hempstead.
“We wanted to be involved in some way with helping the new library, and we came up together with the idea of getting the bulletin boards,” explained Rabbi Art Vernon, president of the club. “This library adds character to West Hempstead, and we're hoping that it will serve as a focus point for the renovation of the rest of Hempstead Avenue.”
In June West Hempstead residents will mark five years since they approved a $9.975 million bond referendum to build the new library beside the Venus Restaurant on Hempstead Avenue. The bond was passed after residents rejected a 2001 proposal to build the library on the corner of Hempstead Avenue and Woodfield Road.
Nearly a year ago, library officials broke ground at the new site, and the long-awaited new library opened on Oct. 21. While construction was under way, the library operated in a temporary facility on Chestnut Street.
“Just seeing the library finally here is a great testimonial of the support of the residents in this community,” said Ralph Reissman, the library board's president. “The residents really enjoy using the library, and this library is really just an amazing place.”
Since it opened, library officials said, they have been working diligently to make the most of the additional space by expanding programs and services. Each week, patrons have a wide selection of program choices ranging from defensive driving to exercise classes.
“We've had more program attendance, and every day it's easy to see that we have more people visiting the library,” Mascia said, adding that the facility has had an increase in “circulation” - the number of books, DVDs and other items taken out by users - to about 2,000 per month. “We promise residents more activities, and we thank the Rotary Club for helping us keep residents informed about what's going on here at the library and in the community.”
For more information about events at the library, go to nassaulibrary.org/westhemp/index.htm.
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liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 282.
