By Scott Brinton
Now, the board says it will put the proposal up for a public vote April 24, along with the library's annual budget.
Board President Walter Mintz believes without question that Merrick needs a new library. "We have a building that is 40 years old and is deteriorating," he told the crowd of about 60 who gathered in the current library's basement last Wednesday for an information meeting.
The library, Mintz said, has outgrown its current space -- it was
designed 40 years ago to hold about half the 91,000 materials it now offers in its collection. He also cited an antiquated air-conditioning system, inadequate electrical wiring for today's computers, flooding in the basement, a tiny children's department and cramped study areas as other reasons that a new library should be built.
And he said the current library does not comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The aisles between shelves, for example, are too narrow to allow wheelchair-access.
Low interest rates make now an opportune time to bond a construction project, Mintz also said. "There is no better time to build than now," he said. "The time to seize the moment is now."
Of Nassau County's 54 libraries, Merrick boasts one of the highest circulation rates, said Mintz. If it is to maintain that rate, the library must continue to grow with the times, he said.
Residents opposed
Mintz and the library board, however, met opposition to a new library during the more than two-hour meeting.
The session opened with a presentation by Todd Harvey, one of the chief architects for the new library; Kevin Settembrino of Turner Construction, the management firm that would oversee financing and scheduling of the project if it receives public approval; and Michael Conte of Syntax Communications, the public-relations firm subcontracted by Turner to get the word out about the proposed library.
After the 20-minute talk, residents barraged the three and Mintz with questions and angry comments about the library proposal.
Many said they did not believe a new library was needed; the current building was adequate to meet the community's needs.
Others who live along surrounding streets said that an expanded library -- which would almost double the size of the current building -- would lead to greater traffic on their blocks and trouble in finding parking spaces in front of their homes.
Others, like Michele Walsh, president of the Central Merrick Homeowners Association, wondered about how the project would affect taxes. Mintz said taxes would rise about $84-85 annually.
Walsh pointed out that figure represented the increase associated with construction only. It did not include annual operating expenses, which would likely rise with a larger library. Conte said the board had not looked at those costs, but it would do so and return with an answer at the next meeting.
Still others said that, while they agreed the current library needed work, they did not believe an entirely new library was needed. The library could simply be expanded, they said.
Alan Aaron, a registered architect who has lived in Merrick since 1963, said he would like to see the current building "salvaged" and additions built around it. In saving the old building, he said, the library would have to construct 12,000 square feet of space, as opposed to 26,000, as the current building measures about 14,000 square feet.
"And," Aaron said, "the library doesn't have to go out of business in the process."
Harvey rebutted, "I wish it was as simple as that."
He said the current library has had little work done, except painting, in its 40 years. To bring the building up to modern standards, he said, it would have to be gutted so new electrical and air-conditioning systems could be installed, and the structure would require significant renovations to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
In the end, Harvey said, revamping the old library would not cost much less than building a new one, and no matter what, it would have to close during construction.
Settembrino said the library would shut down for a year to a year and half if it was razed and a new structure built in its place. During that time, 25 to 35 percent of library services would be available from an outside trailer.
Much of the criticism from audience members came from long-time community residents who said they have enjoyed the current library since it opened and do not wish to see it destroyed. Marilyn Kohn of Merrick said in an interview: "I was here when this library opened. It's a beautiful library."
Library, the future
Several residents -- particularly those with school-age children -- however, said today's young people need a modern library to conduct increasingly demanding research required in school.
Karen Harding said her child prefers the Freeport Public Library because of its greater array of materials and services. "The books aren't here," said Harding, referring to the Merrick Library. "What we're building here is a place to put these things [more materials]."
Stacy McHale-Grossman, vice president of the Old Lindenmere Civic Association, said, "As a mother of a young son who is going to use the library in the future...I am for this library. I think people need to be a little more positive," adding, "We have to come up to the 21st century."
Martin Valk, a Merrick School District trustee, said that for the "progress of this community" and "upkeep of property values," a new library is needed.
And speaking to the library board and personnel, Louis Kruh, president of the Merrick School Board, said, "You made us all so comfortable for so many years, we don't want to relinquish it [the library]. Inside, we know it's past its peak."
"There are going to be certain inconveniences [associated with building a new library]. We've been too happy with what we have. Hopefully, we'll all recognize the truth, and we'll have a new library."
In an interview after the meeting, Peter Houle, who lives nearby on Hewlett Avenue, said he would support construction of a new library. "The library is way too tight in space," he said. "The children's room is dismal. As technology increases, you need have room to grow in.
Sonya Minkoff, Merrick Library acting director, said she was pleased with the meeting. "I thought it went very well," she said. "I heard a lot of postive feedback, positive comments, that show the Merrick community really needs a new library."
More than once during the meeting, Conte, of Syntax Communications, said the library board was considering whether to put the proposal up for a public vote in April.
In an interview with the Herald, Mintz said the board had reached the decision to do so earlier that day, before the meeting.
