Last Friday morning, many New York State, Long Island and Town of Oyster Bay officials and Syosset dignitaries attended Syosset Public Library's groundbreaking ceremony. The event kicked off construction of the library, which will continue for months and provide much-needed room and 50 percent more shelf space to keep up with the burgeoning community's needs.

"We are pleased to renovate our library to accommodate our patrons of Syosset and made a pledge to keep the library open during construction," Judith Lockman, who has been director of the library for four years, said. Lockman thanked everyone involved in the design of the building and added, "I look forward to the day when all of Long Island will see the beautiful and inspiring library."

Syosset High School Chamber Singers, conducted by director Kristen Howell, performed America the Beautiful, In These Delightful Pleasant Groves and An Adelette Quartet.

After an introduction by Shirley Lang, president of the Syosset Public Library Board of Trustees, attendees gave best wishes to everyone involved in the library expansion. Lang then distributed library cards to each dignitary, inviting them to visit anytime. These included: Majority Leader Judith Jacobs, Senator Carl Marcellino, Assemblyman Charles Lavine, Town Councilman Chris Coschignano, Town Clerk Steven L. Labriola, Receiver of Taxes James J. Stefanich, Town Supervisor John Venditto, Syosset Public Library Board of Trustees members Shirley Lang, president, Lorraine Trachtman, vice-president, Elaine Gainor, Reid Goldsmith and Henry Yen, as well as members of the newly formed Friends of Syosset Public Library and Syosset Central School District Superintendent Dr. Carole G. Hankin.

According to Lockman's speech, Syosset Public Library currently houses 240,000 books, 7,000 videos and DVDs, 6,500 music cassettes and CDs, 348 newspaper and magazine subscriptions and 55 computer stations. The new, expanded library will be able to hold 350,000 volumes comfortably shelved and allow for triple the space for DVDs, CDs and videos. In the center of the building will be a new 150-seat sloped auditorium added to the main level of the library along with a newly designed media center, teen room, multiple quiet study areas and state-of-the-art computer stations. The library will also increase programs to reflect the various cultures and age groups. Currently eight community groups use the all-purpose rooms and after construction there will be room for even more.

Lockman added that during 2004 she calculated 800 people came in and out of the library on a daily basis and took out hundreds of thousands of books within a year. She figured the average book was about one-inch thick and if they were stacked one on top of the other, the result would be a pile 4 miles high.

The Syosset Central School District owns the Syosset Public Library. According to the district's newsletter, Syosset on the Move, March 2005 issue, Syosset residents voted to approve the new construction with the passing of the 2003 school budget. The costs to the taxpayers include construction as well as bond finance costs. Syosset's good credit rating, based on Moody's Investors Service rating of Aa2, gives the library a preferred rate - contingent upon the stability of the district, which has successfully passed its school budget for many years in a row.

Architect Raymond Beeler designed the library renovations to create an attractive, functioning, comfortable area that reflects the community itself. Sullivan & Nickel, construction managers, is the company in charge of building the structure.

Until the completion of construction, no public meeting rooms are available, programs are limited, there is reduced floor space available on the main floor to accommodate the materials and books relocated from the lower level. Public computers are available in a temporary computer area across from the reference desk. Outreach programs are being developed so programming can continue, and the new book area is expanded and has extra copies.

Back in January, school-aged children and teens from the outlying area painted pictures and wrote their goodbyes on the walls of the community room downstairs where many events have been held in the library.

At the groundbreaking ceremony was the Friends of the Library group, who are devoted residents dedicated to the betterment of the community. The group meets once a month to discuss ways to improve the library. Founding members include Co-President Maureen McDonald, Vice President Judy Zatzkin, Treasurer Sue Kuchenbrod, Corresponding Secretary Laura Schultz, Recording Secretary Joel Kanarvogel, board members Kerri Hoffman, Jean Israelson, Florence Kanarvogel, Irwin Brod and Mollie Brod.

Syosset's first library, located at 14 Roosevelt Avenue in Syosset, was established in July 14, 1958 by major campaigning by the local Kiwanis Club members. They began with 3,300 books, a three-year lease and much enthusiasm to recruit members. But by June 30, 1961, The Kiwanis Club Library had to disband and turned over all the books and services to the newly formed members and trustees of the Syosset Public Library. This library would be a tax-supported facility, not based on membership. From November 1961 to December 1963, the library was located in the former post office on Cold Spring Harbor Road. Then from December 1963 to February 1970, it was on Jackson Avenue in a former Hempstead Bank branch.

Groundbreaking for the current South Oyster Bay Road site took place on March 1, 1969, for the 23,500 square-foot building. Services for the new building began on February 23, 1970, on which day 3,464 books were circulated between 1 and 9 p.m. The building housed 90,000 books. A formal dedication took place on May 3, 1970. For more information about the Syosset Public Library visit www.nassaulibrary.org/Syosset or call 921-7161.