By Nicole Falco
"We're not talking about millions of dollars in expansions," said Marshall Botwinick, library director.
The renovations being talked about are mostly interior, except for a much-needed roof and a redesigned entranceway. They include new carpeting, shelving and furniture throughout and new reference and circulation desks. Also in the works are the installation of sound-absorbing material to cut down on noise in high-traffic areas, the creation of a small meeting room, and an update of the computer system.
The library has not changed much since it was built in 1962. Helene Mastromarino, library board president, said the renovations are "long overdue." She praised the library, in particular its children's programs, and said the board wants to "modernize the library, make it more efficient." A parking lot was recently built next to the library, off Valley Stream Boulevard. Last year, new windows, lighting and doors were installed.
"The library board is quite excited about it," Botwinick said. "People that work here are quite excited about it. The architects themselves are quite excited about it."
Wiedersum Associates of Hauppauge, the facility's original architectural firm, is in talks to implement the renovations, which are in the design phase. A start date hasn't been determined.
The library board has talked about renovations on and off since the 1970s, but this is the first time the village Board of Trustees and the library board have been on the same page. "Everybody's working in the same direction," Botwinick said. "I'm so happy about that."
The village will advance the library board $450,000 to $500,000 to complete the renovations -- roughly the amount that will be paid by Mill Brook residents over the life of its three-year contract for library service. Mill Brook entered into the contract in January.
"The residents will be very happy," said Mayor Ed Cahill. "Although the library itself is in good condition, people compare it to other libraries that have already gone to the modern age while we stayed the same. We are looking at it with great anticipation."
A familiar face
While the building is set for a face-lift, the library's director and staff will remain familiar.
Marshall Botwinick became director in 1976, after three years as the director of the West Hempstead Public Library.
Botwinick, who lives in Massapequa, earned a master's degree in library science from Queens College. At the time, he was unsure of what he wanted to do. The college allowed students to take master's-level courses in library science while they pursued bachelor's degrees, so he tried it. "I really enjoyed it," Botwinick said. After graduating, he worked for a year in the Elmont Public Library before being drafted into the Army during Vietnam. When he returned in 1967, he quickly went back to work.
Botwinick moved around early in his career, but since coming to Valley Stream "there has been no real need to change," he said.
"I like the people I work with [and] I've been in touch with a lot of nice people in the community," Botwinick said. "It's been a rather pleasant experience."
Botwinick said he hopes to reach the 30-year mark as director in Valley Stream and even retire from the library.
"He's a very competent, dedicated gentleman," Cahill said. "Even before I became mayor, I knew of the fine job that he does."
Botwinick is responsible for overseeing the daily operation of the library and managing its budget, which is currently $145,000 a year.
He is helped by assistant director Mamie Eng, children's librarian Linda Egan, and reference librarians Elizabeth Costello and Lena Sau, as well as other employees and volunteers.
"The staff's wonderful; he's wonderful," said Mastromarino. "He's managed that library on such a slim budget for so many years."
Mastromarino also pointed out the increase in the number and quality of children's programs offered at the library, and gave credit to Eng and Egan. The programs include arts and crafts, game days, summer reading and picnic storytime.
There are about 120,000 books in circulation at Waldinger. From thousands of available titles, Botwinick said he will most often choose non-fiction for his personal reading. Interviewed last month, he was reading "Doing Battle," the autobiography of World War II veteran Paul Fussell. Other than non-fiction, Botwinick said he enjoys the writing of Robert Louis Stevenson and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
