I recently came across a small article in Newsday, entitled “Change Your Life – go to the Library.” It was a reflection on why libraries are such wonderful places, and how they can help launch you into a new career, a new place, a new perspective. Public libraries are the unsung heroes of our time. There is one in almost every community, always there to serve you, and asking little in return. The hours are long – the Plainview-Old Bethpage Library is open 76 hours a week, 52 weeks a year, and closes for just a few holidays – the building is simple, the staff is friendly, there’s always someplace to sit, and there is always something going on. Beyond books, the Library offers computers, homebound book delivery, lectures, concerts, exercise classes, DVDs, books on CD, fax and copy machines. We even have a coffee/hot chocolate machine and a small café for relaxation.
“Opening the door to the library is like pulling the ribbon off a gift,” wrote Susan Marie Davniero from Lindenhurst in her Newsday piece. We feel the same way.

I love podcasts because, even if I’m out all day, I can still listen to some of my favorite radio (you remember that old fashioned technology) programs.
Podcasts are files that can be downloaded from the internet to your computer to listen while you work and/or downloaded to an MP3 player if you want to make them portable. All you have to do is connect the player to the computer and your media player (such as iTunes or Windows Media Player) will guide you. Podcasts are FREE and can be subscribed to and automatically updated as new shows are broadcast. In order to subscribe, one place you can go is iTunes, (even if you don’t own an IPod) and go the Apple store and click on Podcasts. You can search by types of programs you like such as Public Radio programs, short stories, news programs, Oprah, etc. If you subscribe, then every time you open iTunes on your desktop, new podcasts will be downloaded.