New & Noteworthy @ WHPLibrary

A little nostalgia!
Here's what our library looked like just before we moved from the Chestnut Street School to our new building at 500 Hempstead Avenue in October 2007:

Now take a look at our library after 4 years!
If you haven't already done so, we welcome you to visit us (in person, or online). Join in our programs, check out (or download) our materials, and use the many services we offer to our West Hempstead residents and the local community!

New York State's Regents Advisory Council for Libraries (RAC) is asking New Yorkers to tell them what library services they will need in their local communities by 2020. Please respond by August 5; click on the image below to take the survey.

If you live by your text messages, you may want to opt-in to this supplementary feature, built into our library catalog.

When you activate this optional feature, you will receive short text messages alerting you to holds ready for pickup, items about to become due, and items overdue. Be aware that messaging charges may apply based on your mobile carrier terms. Read the "Terms and Conditions" page.

You may opt in, and opt out at any time by logging in to your library account (using your barcode and PIN number) and entering your mobile number into a special Mobile Phone record field.

The SMS alerts you receive are NOT item-specific (not the entire notice); therefore, patrons who request SMS alerts will also receive the corresponding circulation notices, either printed or via email.

E-Commerce is coming!...on or about JUNE 21.

Patrons who perform their own transactions using the MY ACCOUNT feature of the online (Alisweb) catalog will have the added ability to use Visa or Mastercard to pay fines/fees. The minimum payment amount will be $5. (No debit cards, American Express, or Discover cards may be used in the initial offering.)

We are pleased to offer this service and hope it enhances your library experience. If you need help creating or accessing your account, call the Reference Desk, 481-6591.

You can now search the Nassau Library System catalog, view your patron record, renew and request items, from anywhere, at any time using AirPAC, (m.alisweb.org) an online catalog designed for small-screen browsers. AirPAC includes full search capabilities, item information display, patron record display, and renewal and request capabilities.

AirPAC for Smartphones currently works with the following devices:
   • Apple iPhone
   • Apple iPod Touch
   • BlackBerry Storm
   • BlackBerry Bold 9000
   • Motorola Droid
   • HTC Droid Eris
   • Palm Pre

AirPAC will continue to evolve with the increasing number of small-screen devices available on the market.

The weather this wintry season has been particularly trying for us all. We are keeping an eye on tonight's/tomorrow's predicted conditions. Please understand that it is our goal to maintain our services to the public, whenever possible. Decisions to cancel programs or close the library are subject to actual conditions, which we cannot know until close to the time of a program or when conditions become severe.

If you want to know if we are CLOSED, please call the library and press #1 for the Hours. There will be a message on our machine. We will also post our status to the Events Calendar on our website and to Facebook and Twitter once a decision has been made.

If you are calling to see if an adult or teen program has been CANCELLED, please wait until an hour or two before the scheduled start time, and ask for the Reference Desk 516-481-6591 x22. For children's programs, call x32.

The Library Board has decided not to submit the proposed 2010-2011 budget for a revote. The amount of the 2010-2011 budget will remain the same as the current 2009-2010 budget.

The Library will be closed on Monday, January 18. Many Americans celebrate this day by joining with volunteers across the nation on the 2010 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service to make a real in difference in their community.

Find local opportunities through the Long Island Volunteer Center or through the Corporation for National and Community Service:

So far 55 patrons have participated in our first survey of 2010. Multiple responses are allowed so the results add up to more than 55.

The Question is: What do you like best about the library?
- Free Internet access = 23
- Free Museum passes = 21
- Free DVD's, CD's, downloadable books = 30
- Free Programs for all ages = 27
- Free On-Line Tutoring = 08

If you haven't completed a survey for us yet, there is still time to give us your opinion. It'll take less than a minute. There are forms at the Reference Desk and in the Children's Room, or do it here!

The New York Library Association asks that library supporters participate in a “virtual” Lobby Day this Monday, March 9 to protest Governor Paterson's proposed $18 million or 18% cut in Library Aid.

The web letter on NYLA's Online Advocacy Center has been updated to urge the legislature to "Reject Governor's Proposed Cuts to Library Aid" so please send it even if you have sent previous letters. As always the more letters sent the better.

It only takes a minute. Just go to the NYLA website www.nyla.org and follow the “Become a Library Advocate Link.”

Please exercise caution when visiting the library.

The Nassau County Department of Public Works has construction operations underway on Hempstead Avenue. We've been told to expect lane closures, detours, limited driveway access, and limited side street access.

When traveling in the work zone, please be patient and slow down.

Don't stay away, but do stay safe.

Please be patient as we settle into our new home.
Thank you!!! from your WHPLIBRARY STAFF

The West Hempstead Public Library will be shutting our doors briefly while we complete our move to 500 Hempstead Avenue.

Our book and AV dropboxes will be open at both locations for the week beginning on Monday, October 22 until we resume our regular hours on Monday, October 29 at our new location.

Please drop in to see our beautiful new building beginning on October 29. We've missed you!