By Linda Delmonico-Prussen
Walter Mintz, president of the Merrick Library Board, and Wayne Edwards, the library's attorney, gave a short presentation before the school board about the proposed library.
In response to the concerns of residents living behind the library, the new building would be set closer to Merrick Avenue than the current library, the two said.
Library entrances would remain in essentially the same position as they are in now. The new building, though, would sit a grade level, as opposed to the current library, which rests on a raised berm. Keeping the building at grade would eliminate the need for stairs at the front entrance.
The new library would be two stories. The lower level of the current structure would be filled in. Many changes to the library would involve bringing the building up to code and making it wheelchair-accessible by widening aisles between book shelves, among other measures.
Library officials said they would make every effort to preserve trees now on library property. The first-floor garden would become a focal point, with a glass wall looking out to the garden and a door to the garden for easy access.
An elevator and a staircase would provide acess to the second floor. The second floor would include a meeting room with microphones, a conference room and a children
