Oprah Book Club
Kala Maxym, mezzo-soprano
I would encourage you to consider responding. (See Merricklife.com and click on “Website Exclusives”)
Following is a more complete description of the situation and the email addresses of your legislators.
Consolidation of Libraries?
Nassau County Executive Suozzi has been in the news a great deal as he explores the possibilities for consolidation of municipal services. This initiative is part of a larger statewide effort which began with the governor’s appointment of the Commission on Local Government Efficiency.
Consultants from PFM (Public Financial Management) are exploring possibilities for consolidation within the county. One of the areas being looked at is public libraries.
What does this mean?
The County Executive is considering the concept of a single countywide library system. He has been quoted as saying that a county library system with one board of trustees appointed by the County would be more accountable, transparent, and efficient than the current system, which includes 54 independently funded and run public libraries. In a consolidated system each independent library would now become a branch library.
Although Mr. Suozzi has said that if such a plan were to be implemented no buildings would be closed, no services reduced, and no staff eliminated except by attrition, it is not clear how this would be accomplished or what, if any, savings the taxpayer might realize.
How does it work now?
While the 54 independent public libraries in Nassau County are locally controlled, they already share many services in an effort to reduce costs. Here are a few examples:
County residents may borrow materials from any library in Nassau County with their home library card.
Borrowers may return books and some other materials at any library in the county.
Library materials are displayed in a shared automated catalog that allows a patron to see the holdings of all libraries in the county, to place reserves, and to renew items. This can also Public libraries cooperatively purchase research databases, online resources and downloadable audiobooks.
If you wish to have more information please contact
Dave Opatow, Director, Freeport Memorial Library 379-3274 or directorfr@nassaulibrary.org
If you wish to let your elected public officials know your feelings you may contact the parties listed below, or you may download a sample letter at www. nassaulibrary.org/freeport/consolidation.htm
Thomas Suozzi
1 West Street, Mineola, NY 11510 571-3131 tom.suozzi@mail.co.nassau.ny.us
Charles Fuschillo, Jr.
30 S. Ocean Ave., Freeport, NY 11520 546-4100 fuschill@senate.state.ny.us
Earlene Hooper
50 Clinton St. #214, Hempstead, NY 11550 486-6610 hoopere@assembly.stat.ny.us
David McDonough
3000 Hempstead Tpke #110, Levittown 731-8830 mcdonod@assembly.state.ny.us
Kevan Abrahams
1 West Street, Mineola, NY 11510 571-6201 kabrahams@nassaucountyny.gov
Joseph Scannell
1 West Street, Mineola, NY 11510 571-6205 Joe.Scannell@mail.co.nassau.ny.us
David Denenberg
1 West Street, Mineola, NY 11510 571-6219 ddenenberg@nassaucountyny.gov
A Century Plus:
port for the summer. This four-part presentation will include: the L.I.G.H.T.S Club and its members, actors who lived in Freeport, and celebrity visitors to Freeport.
These newspapers are fully searchable and be printed. The Long Island Memories digitzation collection accessible through the Library website.
This project is made available through the collaborative efforts of the Long Island Resources Council, the Freeport Historical Society, and the Freeport Memorial Library.
ion in-print, out-of-print, forthcoming, book, audio book, and video titles. Freeport Memorial Library cardholders can read the first chapter of more than 48,900 entries and have access to full-text reviews from 15 respected, professional sources such as Booklist, Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, and Choice.
ready read, authors you like, or topics of interest. Easily create a personalized list of recommended titles based on characteristics you enjoy. Fiction and biography titles are included and suggestions can be printed or e-mailed for later review. You can browse books by title, topic, genre, setting, character, location, and timeframe.
Gale Virtual Reference Library (GVRL), a wonderful new electronic reference tool, is now available through the Library's subscription database website. It gives online access 24/7 to more than 330 encyclopedias and other reference books, all written by reputable scholars in their fields.
Just like the encyclopedia, the Gale Virtual Reference Library is the best place to go to get an authoritative overview of a subject new to you. There are bibliographies at the end of most articles leading you on to other reliable, reputable sources for more in-depth information.
GVRL subject areas include:
A complete list of titles is available in our card catalog.
These devices are located in the Job Education and Information Center (JEIC) located on the Library's lower level.
On January 4, 2007, Freeport author Gregory S. Carr presented copies of his first children’s book, It Seemed So Real! to the Freeport Memorial Library.
On January 3, 2007, Freeport author Barbara Jean Barr presents copies of her newest book, The Ice Prison to the Freeport Memorial Library. Her previous book, She’s No One’s Wife, was published last year.
nd Libraries Resources Council. The goal of this project is to create a database of items pertaining to LI history and make these items accessible through the Internet.
