Our library provides Notary service to the public. To take advantage of this special service, come in Monday, Tuesday and Friday l0:00am-Noon 2:00pm-4:00pm Wednesday and Thursday l0:00am-Noon, 2:00-4:00pm and 6:00pm-8:30pm, Sunday is by appointment only so call after l pm. I’ve been amazed by some of the documents that are required to be notarized. They could be for GRE, MCAT, LSAT and CPA exams. Over the years, pension forms, unclaimed fund forms, senior discount MTA forms, pistol licenses, lawsuits and divorce case documents have passed through my hands. Sometimes patrons share as I notarize their documents. Many lawsuits and divorce cases go on for years and I sympathize with the patrons. I listen and sometimes get advice without asking. It is my pleasure to assist.

When I have the opportunity to sit down and read it’s often at night. By that time my eyes feel a bit strained and I reach for my magnifying glasses. Oh it is a pleasure to be able to find the title I want in Large Print because I can read it so easily and I don’t have to go searching for my glasses. A little secret is that we often get the best sellers in large type at the same time as we get the regular type books and there are fewer holds on the large type. By the way, there is a list of adult large type books in the left column of our web page under “what to read next”. It makes it easy to find out what’s new.

“Once considered quiet havens for study and research, modern public libraries are creating a new niche for themselves in community life. From bridging the digital divide to offering solutions to societal challenges, the public library has evolved into the essential “go to” facility for young and old alike – both physically and in cyberspace.” ICMA Management Perspective, October 2007

Libraries are dynamic resources that play multiple roles in their communities. No longer is the local public library just a place to study and borrow books, it is evolving along with the needs of its community. One of the core responsibilities of the staff of the Plainview-Old Bethpage Public Library is to connect people within the community with each other, and with cultural, social and educational events. We look forward to partnering with other local organizations to make this happen.

Just watch us grow!

Do you remember watching old horror movies hosted by Zacherley, the Cool Ghoul? Or going to a drive-in restaurant where car hops brought the food to your car on metal trays that hooked over a partially raised car window? What about trips to the corner candy store on a summer afternoon to buy Mallo Cups, Double Bubble bubblegum with Bazooka Joe comics inside every pack, frozen Popsicles on double wooden sticks that could be shared with a friend or Fizzies tablets that bubbled into a sparkling beverage when dropped into a glass of cold water?
Articles about all of these plus many more can be found in Reminisce: The Magazine That Brings Back The Good Times and Good Old Days: The Magazine That Remembers The Best both available in the Adult Lounge.

Have you ever wondered about a friend that you went to school with? The Local History Collection at the library has a large collection of yearbooks from all the schools in the district. Many people have used them to reconnect with old acquaintances. Do you have a school project? We have an extensive book collection that deals with the history of our area. There is also a newspaper-clipping file that keeps track of pertinent articles and information about, businesses, schools, local organizations and people in our community. We keep environmental studies and other material about things that affect Plainview and Old-Bethpage, as well as the rest of Long Island. If there is something controversial going on in our area, come to the library and get up-to-date information from the Local History Collection. The collection also houses over 1,000 photographs and shows how our community has grown and changed. Come to the Reference Desk and ask to see any of the material or ask for our Local History Librarian who can do more extensive research for you.

Have you used our new PlayAways yet? We now have 27 titles, with more on the way. Just add you own headphones, push a button, and you are good to go!

Don’t forget our collection of classic DVDs. We have over 60 vintage titles for your enjoyment, many enhanced with additional features. Speaking of classics, we now have a colorized “Our Gang” DVD set.

Thanks to our patrons for borrowing a record high number of Music CDs in December. Come and browse our growing collection of classical, popular, folk, rock, country, jazz, and international titles.

The Books on CD collection has grown and have been shifted for easier browsing. We’ll be glad to show you where.

The Hempstead Public Library is home to the World Language Collection, which contains over 12,000 books in over 20 languages. This special collection serves anyone who resides in Nassau County. If you wish, you may request these titles from our Reference Department. FYI, our library owns a small foreign language book collection, which is on shelves next to the Adult Lounge. If you can’t find what you need please ask, we’d be happy to help you.

Renee, Chris and I were talking about our “For Our Soldiers” program, which has been ongoing since July, 2006. Since our money collection jar was stolen back in December, donations of money and materials have dropped to next to nothing. We cannot put out another collection jar, or box, because of the possibility of theft and damage to the library. Therefore, our collection area will most likely be eliminated. One of us asked the others if we were ready for our efforts to send the care packages to the soldiers to end. I was at a loss for words. Even though we all knew when we began that we could not possibly sustain this for the long haul, the thought of abandoning our soldiers, which is what I feel in my heart we would be doing, felt like a dagger to my heart. All because one person felt the need, during the holiday season, to take the few dollars that our community donated, dollar by dollar, to those who are far away from home, friends and family.

We don’t know how else to continue to receive donations from the kids who threw coins from their allowance into the jar, or the shopper who was in Shop Rite and bought an extra box of granola bars and dropped them into the basket the next time she was in the library. Or the vet who brought in a bunch of decks of playing cards. If you have any thoughts on this, we welcome your suggestions.