Public Libraries Around Long Island

Many people visit public libraries around Long Island, most of the public libraries are excellent places to visit as well as to use the library's services.

"Of the 55 public libraries in Nassau County, 18 have undergone extensive renovations sine 2000. In Suffolk, 13 of the county's 56 libraries have undergone either a face-lift or constructed a new building in the past three years. Usage is increasing, too. In Nassau, for example, public library visits increased 8.7 percent from 2000 to 2003, when the new wave of construction closed some buildings and relocated others; in Suffolk, visits increased 9.4 percent from 2001 to 2005."

The Cold Spring Harbor Library is comparatively small, off the main road, near the Cold Spring Harbor Whaling Museum, this public library regularly hosts presentations and programs about Long Island's rich seafaring heritage.

Syosset's Library has a large computer area, newly rebuilt, coffee lounge, lots of activities, such as a July speech about Caumsett State Park. Meetings held here also include the photography club as well as a few computer user's clubs.

Plainview's Library has excellent services, large computer lounge, separate room for word processing, movie programs include some Academy Award nominees recently released to DVD, as well as some movie classics.

Freeport's Library is a good one to visit for the employment services room, which offers many useful tools for job seekers. There are many performances held per year at this public library, for little or no cost to the general public.

The Hicksville Library is undergoing renovation while the building remains open, however, a new computer building open in the afternoon allows students and telecommuters to get work done while on the road.

The Jericho Public Library has archives that document some of the local area's history, as well as a few floors of books in one of the area's most compact public libraries.

The Hewlett Public Library has many books available in several different languages for people to read. The computer use area is generally full of users, and people enjoy doing their study activities in the various quiet areas of this public library.

Renovations are done on the Gold Coast libraries in Nassau County on a regular basis, most do not need extensive renovations as annual upgrades are done. Most of the public libraries around Long Island are larger than some Middle American school houses.

Commack Library contains word processors and internet offered, near park, sidewalk, YWHA activities, fantastic magazine rack selection downstairs, private reading area with comfortable chairs for off-line research. The next Friends of the Library meeting is on August 5th, 2008, and purchasing books from the booksale, many of which are donated by patrons, helps to further program activities.

Dix Hills Library is great, except that the expanded Dix Hills branch is already usually filled with local students. Melville branch a good choice for researchers or internet users. Meetings of the local embroidery guild chapter take place at the Dix Hills branch, and there are many presentations held here monthly.

West Islip's Public Library has a good selection of books, as well as great hospitality for the movie showings. The reference computer database contains useful car specification information, large computer area, great price for memory sticks.

The Copiague Public Library has an expanded computer section, large existing clientele for internet, and is close enough to the Great South Bay that local beachgoers frequently stop in between the hours of 10 am and 2 pm, to avoid getting too much sun.

The Lindenhurst Public Library has book sale, memory sticks, and an upgraded network, plus, it's an easy walk to the railroad station to go to Manhattan, or going south, about a thirty minute stroll to the Great South Bay, and the nearby marina.

The Northport Public Library and the East Northport Public Library both have numerous programs to offer patrons, as well as a marvelous, upscale coffee lounge area that is at least as nice as that found in many coffeehouses. The quiet study room is a godd place to hold a low-key meeting.

The North Babylon Public Library also has an excellent movie program, as well as an outstanding book sale, which is very popular among the locals. During the school year, this location is also extremely crowded.

The Deer Park Public Library has meetings for many clubs, such as the knitting club, where people who crochet are also welcome.

"All over Long Island, public libraries are experiencing a boom in building, offering and popularity." Deborah S. Morris

These libraries are generally spacious, and most contain all the reference manuals that a person might need to do a basic proposal for a grants research project on almost anything. It is possible for a person to work from out of these public libraries, between the hours of 9 or 10 am and 9 pm during the week, without having to work for any boss other than your own pre-set deadlines; however, that's when Friends of the Library comes in. A lot of patrons are more than happy to donate their new books for evaluation by the staff for addition to the library collection, or to add to the book sale.

Sources: No "shhh" spoken here, But 'latte' and 'wi-fi' are heard as libraries move to meet the needs of communities; by Deborah S. Morris, staff writer, Newsday, October 15, 2006; Newsletter, Commack Public Library