New & Noteworthy @ WHPLibrary

We believe that Libraries are the quintessential "universities of the streets", a place where people of all ages can go for life-long learning, to further educate themselves and improve their prospects in life.

When parents want to introduce their children to the joy of reading, they go to the library. When seniors want to learn how to get online, they go to their library. When students want to figure out how to use databases for their research, they go to their school or academic library.

Help us protect NY's libraries and library systems. Please SIGN OUR PETITION. We need to remind the NYS Legislature that libraries are essential community services and ask them to reject the $2.4 million cut in Library Aid Governor David Paterson is proposing in the 2010-2011 Executive Budget.

We grieve the loss of Joseph Westler, President of the Friends of the West Hempstead Public Library. He passed away on Wednesday, January 6, 2010.

The photo on the left, with Joe and his wife, Rhoda, was taken at the Senior Fair held at the library in October, 2009.

You may have met Joe, when he worked here cheerfully and tirelessly at the Friends of the Library Book Sale in December 2009.

We will miss him.

The price is right, so take a look when you drop in.

HARDCOVERS - 25 cents
PAPERBACKS - 10 cents
MAGAZINES - 5 cents
AUDIOVISUAL - $1 dollar

WHEN:
Preview Sale for Friends Members Only - Thursday evening, April 30, 5 - 9 pm;
General Sale: Friday and Saturday, May 1 and 2, 9 - 5 pm
General Sale: Sunday, May 3, 12 pm - 5 pm is Clearance Day when books are sold for $1.00 a bag.

WHERE:
Takes place in the Community Room on the lower level at 500 Hempstead Ave.

EXTRA, EXTRA:
A bake sale will also be held on Sunday.

Please be sure to stop by and support your library by supporting the Friends. All proceeds benefit the Library.

A Note from the Director:

"The West Hempstead Public Library and the Friends of the Library co-sponsored a concert on Sunday, November 9, 2008. The purpose of this "special" concert was to unveil the new Yamaha piano that the Friends had gifted to the library. The library has always had hand-me-down pianos. This is our first brand new piano.

A special performance by the Long Island Piano Duo, Yelena and Vladimir Polezhayev, debuted the new piano. Yelena and Vladimir were joined by their two sons, Anton and Simon, on violin and bass, respectively. The hour and a half concert was attended by 110 patrons. Everyone in attendance had a wonderful time.

On behalf of the Board of Trustees and the staff of the library, I would like to thank the Friends for their generous gift.

Regina Mascia, Library Director"

On Wednesday, November 12 at 7 pm we will have a special event in the Children's Program Room.

Children from ages 4 to grade 4 are invited to a special reading featuring the author, the illustrator, and one of the canine characters from the book Ankle Soup. Ankle Soup is a Thanksgiving holiday story told from the perspective of a French Bulldog named Carlos.

Long Island author, Maureen Sullivan will read from the book; illustrator Alison Josephs will talk about her pictures. Come for fun and the inside scoop on this delightful, colorful picture book!

Register at the Children's Reference Desk beginning October 30 at 5 pm.

Copies of the book may be bought and signed in the main library through Friends of the West Hempstead Public Library.

It was a steamy hot Sunday in June when Friends gathered for our Walkway Dedication Ceremony. Refreshments were served for the steadfast folk who withstood the 90+ degree heat. Commemorative Journals documenting the text of each of the158 bricks installed thus far for the Buy-a-Brick Campaign were distributed. See more photos...

The Friends of the Library are having a raffle! It's called the "Welcome Home Raffle".

You have a chance of winning a large rug that was donated by Nahas Rug in West Hempstead and a rocking chair contributed by an anonymous donor. If you would like to see the items, they are both displayed on the first floor of the library.

Please consider purchasing a raffle - it's for a good cause. Chances are $1.00 each or six for $5.00. Chances are available at the circulation desk of the library.

The winner will be announced on June 8 after the walkway dedication.

WHEN:
Friends only Pre-Sale - Wednesday, May 28 5 - 9 pm;
General sale: Thursday, May 29 through Sunday, June 1st.

WHERE:
Takes place in the Community Room on the lower level at 500 Hempstead Ave.

DETAILS:
Donations will be accepted from 9 - 5 pm on Tuesday, May 27 and Wednesday, May 28.

Sorry for the short notice.
The tag sale scheduled for 1/17 at the old library has been cancelled.

WHAT: Miscellaneous furniture: desks, chairs, book shelving, circulation desk, reference desk
WHEN: January 17, 2008 4-8 p.m.
WHERE: 252 Chestnut Street, West Hempstead (the old library)

Details: Pay by cash or check. Carry away that evening.

June C. Buckman died on December 5th, 2007, at the age of 88. Born in West Hempstead, NY, on August 9,1919, she was the only child of Jennie Renelt and Arthur Ely Clayton. In 1979, she married Raymond L. Buckman, who died on December 10th, 2001.

Mrs. Buckman leaves two daughters from her first marriage to Dr. William W. Quast – Janet C. MacDonald and Diane Q. Forti – and two grandsons, Jeffrey and Greg Armstrong.

Her daughter, Diane Quast Forti, visited from Massachusetts recently and wrote that "Unfortunately, my last visit was in November, 2007, and the new library was closed for Veteran's Day. From what I could see, the building looks wonderful, and my only regret is that my mother never got to see the fruits of her early labors."

Diane grew up in West Hempstead and attended Chestnut Street School and WHHS. Her father, William Quast, had a dental practice on Hempstead Avenue for many years. Her mother was dedicated to education and serving her community and was instrumental in establishing the West Hempstead Public Library.

Diane sent us newspaper clippings from 1956 documenting the efforts of her mother, Mrs. William Quast, as the library's book committee chairman, and her youthful volunteers, eight-year-old Diane and sister Janet, 10.

At Mrs. Buckman’s request, Memorial Donations may be sent to the “West Hempstead Public Library” at 500 Hempstead Ave., West Hempstead, NY 11552 (516-481-6591), Attention: Regina Mascia, Director, for the purchase of new books.

We are grateful to Diane for sharing her memories of her mother. Thanks to June Buckman and her daughters and other volunteers, the West Hempstead Public Library was established and has continued to develop and thrive. We are indebted to the many people who contributed their dreams and their labors to making our library what it is today.

You can still make your mark on the library's Gift Brick pathway.

Come and get them!

All books now in the community room at 252 Chestnut Street are free for the taking.

Bring a bag or a box, fill them up, and share these bargains with your family and friends.

Check the movable cart near the Business Desk for our Bargain Booksale which is ongoing and updated daily as we prepare for our move to the new library.

Our next scheduled, extraordinary, pre-closing booksale, sponsored by the Friends of the West Hempstead Library will be held Tuesday, May 8 - Sunday, May 20. For Friends of the Library, there is a MEMBERS-ONLY Preview Sale on Monday May 7, from 5 pm - 9 pm. If you haven't become a member yet, this would be a good time to join us!

Don't forget, Sunday, May 20 is our Special Sale Day! Pay $1.00 for a bag of books!!

Unfortunately, NO DONATIONS will be accepted for this booksale.

Thomas Haas and his wife Terri have been residents of West Hempstead for over 40 years. Their four grown children have enjoyed the benefits of the West Hempstead Public Library.

Mr. Haas is an artist with a lifelong dream of designing a sculpture based on preserving the environment. His proposal was presented and well received by the Board of Directors for the new West Hempstead Public Library, to be completed in 2007. The Board has designated a place at the entrance of the library for his sculpture.

Mr. Haas' design calls for a 12 foot diameter gunite fountain. Emerging from the center of the fountain will be a spiral formation of fish and birds sculpted out of metal. The birds represent the air we breathe and the fish, the water we drink. The structure will feature dancing waters, a geyser and lights.

Tom was inspired by a famous quote from Native American Chief Seattle:

"The rivers are our brothers they quench our thirst. The air shares its spirit with all the life it supports. Preserve the land for all children."

Mr. Haas is currently battling cancer and the creation of this sculpture will allow his legacy of art and love for the environment to pass onto future generations to enjoy.

Due to the nature of the materials needed and labor required to erect the sculpture, the cost will be upwards of $100,000. Donations of any amount will be greatly appreciated. Donations of $5000 will have the name of your family or corporation inscribed at the site. If you would like to make a contribution towards fulfilling Tom's Dream, please make your tax-deductible contribution to:

Friends of the West Hempstead Public Library
Tom's Dream
In care of Ms. Regina Mascia, Director
West Hempstead Public Library
252 Chestnut Street
West Hempstead , NY 11552

Please Note: Any donations exceeding the cost of Tom's Dream will be designated towards maintenance of the sculpture and fountain.