Library Begins New Chapter

Children's Wing Expansion Completed

By Brad Barth

After several months of construction, the once cramped confines of the Syosset Public Library children's wing has been transformed into a spacious and cheerful environment.

You're never too old for story-time, proves Syosset Public Library Director Alice Nayer (center) and librarians (from left) Karen Liebman, Lita Friedman, Merryl Traub and Pam Martin. The five of them are pictured sitting in the Jessica Bari Goldstein Story-Time Room, one of the new additions to the children's wing.

The improved children's wing officially opened with a ceremony attended by numerous local officials as well as the family of Jessica Bari Goldstein, the girl for whom a new story-time room was named in memory.

Since the opening, the feedback has been very positive. "It's bright, it's cheerful, it's big," said children's librarian Merryl Traub, reiterating some of the compliments that the new addition has received from local residents.

The most drastic part of the library's facelift is the expanded section, where the oversized books and picture books are now shelved. There was little room to store these bulky books before the construction.

The computer room also was improved. The library invested in several new computers, all of which are set up in comfortable surroundings. Kids can use them to gain access to the Internet and use CD-ROM software. Prior to the expansion, said Library Director Alice Nayer, the computer room's set-up was second-rate at best. "We used to have three computers sitting on the floor," said Nayer.

Younger children should enjoy the Jessica Bari Goldstein Story-Time Room, where at certain times librarians will read to them, and where a variety of educational toys are accessible.

There is also a new group study or research room. "When school begins it will be for kids to use for group projects," said Nayer. Separate children's and handicap-accessible bathroom facilities have also been installed.

In the older part of the children's wing, the shelving has been reconstructed so that it is handicap-accessible as well.

The librarians are also happy to see the building's garage, a dismal dumping ground of junk, turn into a roomy lounge for their own leisure.

Not every aspect of the library's expansion project has been completed, however. While workers have already added a third row of parking in the library's rear parking lot, they are still adding more parking spaces in front.