Over the past few years, the West Hempstead Public Library has undergone a number of renovations, with more to come in 2026. With over 10,000 cardholders, the library staff works continuously to meet the community’s needs.
“Libraries have gone past just the physical books and media,” said Regina Mascia, the library’s director since 1999. “Libraries are trending in different directions and trying to keep residents engaged, and I think it’s important.”
Though patrons make use of the available physical media — with nearly 200,000 items checked out in 2025, according to Mascia — the library continues to expand its programming and methods of engagement.
“We want to provide people with more educational and cultural opportunities,” Assistant Director Emily Trezza said. “People are very excited to see that.”
Mascia, began her career at the library as a page in 1978, and Trezza, joined the staff as a trainee in 2007. Even as the world becomes more digital and the library adapts, both women say, West Hempstead patrons continue to gather there and take advantage of the resources it offers.
Library renovations
In 2022, the children’s room was renovated. The project included new flooring and carpeting, and the construction of a larger play area. Last year, colorful murals of books in nature landscapes were added to the play area and the children’s programming room.
The reference area and the adult department were redone last year. New carpeting was installed, and the reference desk was rebuilt to be more accessible to wheelchair users and to store more “take and make” crafts — kits patrons pick up and create at home.
Two private meeting pods were installed in this space as well. “People were really missing an area where they could have a private spot, and there was no place in the building to build a room for that,” Trezza explained. “So these pods have been heavily used since their debut in May. People are very happy to have a place for their private needs.”
The spaces allow patrons to conduct Zoom meetings, take one-on-one appointments or conduct private group studies. They can be booked 24 hours in advance by those with library cards, but are otherwise available on a first-come, first-served basis.
The library also constructed a Library of Things, which will be opening for public use later this year. “A Library of Things gives patrons the ability to borrow items, not just books or media,” Trezza said. The available items will include a telescope, a Toniebox with audio characters for children, and more.
Accessibility will continue to be a major focus of the library in the coming year. The building is fully accessible to people with disabilities, but the front doors will be upgraded from a push-to-open handicapped-accessible button to an automatic sliding-door system.
There will also be updates coming to the library’s website to make the interface more accessible and easier to navigate.
Program offerings
The library offers programming for those of all ages. This year there will be a variety of programs highlighting American history and celebrating the United States’ semiquincentennial.
“We have a very robust baby and toddler program,” Trezza said, including story times and developmental programs. “We have to offer multiple time options for each class, because we just can’t accommodate everyone in one session at this point.”
There are a variety of STEM-focused program available for older children each month — a response to requests from community members for more science- and technology-based opportunities.
Much of the teen programming at the library focuses on community service, giving young patrons the opportunity to complete service obligations. The staff also works with students to create new ways of giving back to the community.
The adult department hosts many programs as well, many of them on weekends. They include the Sunday concert series, exercise classes and lectures as well as off-site programming.
“We’re one of the few libraries that offer bus trips,” Mascia said. Leaving from the library, the next bus trip is scheduled for March 23, a VIP tour of St. Patrick’s Cathedral and the United Nations for $162. Previous outings included the annual Charles Dickens Festival, in Port Jefferson, and a dinner theater shows at the Hunterdon Hills Playhouse in Hampton, N.J.
The library also offers a variety of Spanish-language programs, from beginning to conversational Spanish for both children and adults. Spanish books and media are available to be checked out, immigration classes and support are also offered, and the library recently hosted a tango program.
“Like most libraries, we’re trying to be a community center for our residents,” Trezza said. “We look to find programs of a wide variety of cultures — not just the ones that have a high visual here in town. We try to branch out to other cultures, so we can all understand and learn about each other.
“It goes back to what our community is looking for, which is diversity and an educational aspect,” she added. “They’re looking to learn about everything, not just one particular thing.”
