Thursday, October 1, 2026
For years, leaders at the Uniondale Public Library on Uniondale Avenue have pursued the same goal: securing enough space to build a larger facility that can better serve the community’s growing needs.
Much of that effort has centered on property adjacent to the A. Holly Patterson Extended Care Facility on Jerusalem Avenue, which library officials have identified as the most viable location for a future library. But each time it seemed progress was being made, changes in leadership at Nassau University Medical Center forced discussions to start over again.
The Holly Patterson facility, in Uniondale, is operated by the Nassau Health Care Corporation, the public entity that also oversees Nassau University Medical Center.
“We still have a goal of getting that plot of land that we’re looking for so we can move forward with any plans to get a new library,” Deborah Mabry, president of the library’s board of trustees, said at its June 17 monthly meeting. “We know it will take a while, but we need a piece of land to put it on.”
Now, library officials are hoping another transition at the top of the East Meadow hospital system will finally create a path forward. The access for students is beneficial for Turtle Hook Middle School on Jerusalem Avenue being the closest school to Holly Patterson.
The library’s board of trustees said at its June meeting that it expects to meet with new leadership at NUMC, in its continuing efforts to secure land for a new library building.
“We met with legislator (Olena) Nicks,” Mabry said. “She said give us some time and then we’ll be meeting with the new CEO of the (hospital) board.”
Nicks said in a statement on Monday that the A. Holly Patterson campus would address persistent flooding issues at the current library location. The aging infrastructure has caused a number of disruptions in recent years. Last year, the facility was closed for roughly two months while roof repairs were completed. A basement flood forced the closure of the library’s theater in 2024, ending a long-running concert series that has since been relocated to the library’s café.
“As a former Uniondale library trustee, I am committed to support its growth as a 21st century educational and cultural hub,” she said, “maximizing opportunities for my neighbors to benefit from this outstanding public resource.”
State Sen. Siela Bynoe, who represents Uniondale, spoke with the library board to determine exactly which property trustees were eyeing. She visited the site, saying the “property that was closer to the roadway where Turtle Hook and the recreational center could benefit from.” She added that the property was appraised at $1 million, and the NUMC board is interested in the idea of the proposed library.
The library board said it isn’t seeking space within the A. Holly Patterson Extended Care Facility itself, but rather a parcel of land on the surrounding Nassau Health Care Corporation campus that could accommodate a new library building.
“The plans keep changing,” Mabry added. “You have the discussion and you get some good feedback. But then it’s all gone and you have to start all over again.”
The efforts to secure more space for the library come amid significant changes at the public hospital system.
Last year, New York state assumed oversight of NUMC and its governing body, the Nassau Health Care Corporation, through provisions included in the 2025-26 state budget.
The move shifted control of the financially troubled hospital from Nassau County to the state and restructured the corporation’s board to include 11 members, most of whom are appointed by Gov. Kathy Hochul.
Earlier this month, Hochul appointed Richard Kessel, former chairman of the Nassau Interim Finance Authority, to serve as chairman of the Nassau Health Care Corporation board.
Library officials said they hope the latest leadership changes will provide stability and allow long-delayed discussions about the property near A. Holly Patterson to resume.
Current President and chief executive Thomas Stokes took the position on the board in October, where he met with Bynoe. Bynoe claimed that Stokes was in full support of the plan.
“It’s hopeful that this time there will be some stability,” Mabry said.
The library has explored the possibility of leasing or acquiring property on the NUMC campus for roughly five years. Trustees have repeatedly said the area near A. Holly Patterson is the only viable location south of Hempstead Turnpike with enough space to accommodate a new library.
The current library building, which spans roughly 31,000 square feet, no longer meets the community’s needs, trustees said, adding that they have explored other options over the years but have been unable to identify another suitable location.
“I’ve been living here close to 20 years, and I can’t remember anything over there,” Mabry said about the property adjacent to A. Holly Patterson. “And we know that there is not another parcel of land anywhere in Uniondale, probably on this side or the south side of the Hempstead Turnpike, that will yield us enough space for a new library.
“We continue to maintain this building as best that we can,” she added. “The stuff in here is pretty old. (The) boiler here is probably made from original stuff, probably encased in concrete.”
The library secured a grant to fund roof replacement work last spring and some additional funding for infrastructure improvements, including elevator upgrades.
Still, trustees said the building’s underlying issues remain.
Mabry stressed that much of the equipment in the building is antiquated and costing a lot of money to maintain.
As of press time, officials from NUMC, the Nassau Health Care Corporation returned calls for comment. Officials have not yet announced a timeline for renewed discussions with hospital leaders.
Have an opinion about the library’s’ relocation plan? Send a letter to sdriks@liherald.com
