A NEW LIBRARY
FOR THE MASSAPEQUAS
On June 7th the registered voters of School District 23 will partici-pate
in a referendum to decide whether the Massapequas will erect a new
$225,000 public library building to replace the rented store, 14 feet wide
and 60 feet' deep, which is now serving as the Library's quarters.
So that you may be in possession of the background and details of the
proposition, the Board of Trustees of the Massapequa Public Library has
prepared this explanatory brochure. In these pages you will find the
answers to most of your questions. For a comprehensive discussion of the
project, be sure to attend the open public meeting at Parks ide School
on May 31st at 8: 30 p.m.
BACKGROUND
Prior to 1953, the Massapequas had only the facilities provided by the
Delancy Floyd-Jones Library to serve the rapidly increasing population.
Located on Merrick Road near Grace Church, this privately endowed
library had a few hundreds of books available for circulation-far too
few for a community the size of the Massapequas! Then, early in 1952,
a group of interested Massapequans banded together and laid the ground
work for the formation of the Massapequa Public Library. Working
through the Board of Education, (the only public body in the combined
areas of Massapequa and Massapequa Park capable of levying taxes), this
group proposed a budget which was added to the regular 1952 school
budget and approved by the taxpayers of the community. Five trustees
were also elected at that time. After a book drive in which the entire
community enthusiastically participated, the Library was opened on Janu-ary
18th, 1953.
Into the Library's cramped quarters at 526 Broadway are packed over
8,000 books, an extensive assortment of periodicals and phonograph rec-ords,
catalogue files, desks, tables and other library equipment. Each
month over 5,000 registered borrowers visit the crowded store and take
home more than 8,500 books and magazines.
If you have been to the Library during an afternoon you know that
the overcrowding makes it impossible to sit down and attempt any serious
work. Moreover, it's hard just to find room to look around!
Simply stated, the present library quarters are physically incapable of
containing the books and facilities necessary to provide the Massapequas
with public library service of the size and quality required by the com-munity.
For that reason the construction of a new library building is a
"must."
MAIN
THE NEW LIBRARY
The proposed Library building will be erected on a site donated for
the purpose by Mrs. Katherine Smith, Located at the west side of Central
Avenue, between New York and Pennsylvania Avenues, the plot is ad-jacent
to the main Massapequa business district and convenient for com-muters,
The structure was designed by George J, Dippell , Architect,
and is a one story, L-shaped building,
The latest concepts of public library function have been incorporated
into the design of the brick and steel building to make it one of the
most attractive and efficient libraries in New York State, The central
entrance lobby divides the adult section of the Library on the left from
the children's wing on the right
The Children's Room is a large, cheerful one, looking out through a
"window wall" to a garden reading room for outdoor story hours, In
CWILDQ[N'S READING ROOM·
,
• N Ui',IC /A~(OVr::·
the adult section, the open plan which allows for a large stack area to
adjoin the reading room is both attractive and functional. A real Refer-ence
Section where serious study can be carried on is being provided. In-formal
lounge furniture for recreational reading is a special feature.
A music alcove with earphone-equipped "listening tables" and a new
book lounge are also planned. Behind the scenes are offices for the
librarian and staff with efficiently designed work areas where books can
be received, checked, classified, catalogued and processed.
The new Massapequa Public Library, a colorful, comfortable, attrac-tive
building is better designed and more efficiently planned than other
community libraries because the needs of the Massapequas have determined
the kind of building to be erected.
PLANNING
Prior to the development of plans for the Massapequa Public Library,
the Library Trustees, the Library Director and the Architect visited many
libraries throughout the state. Advice was sought from authorities in
library planning and librarians in other communities in Nassau County,
Kings County and Westchester. Mr. Francis R. St. John, Chief Librarian
of the Brooklyn Public Library says that the building as proposed is beauti-ful
and efficient and he particularly likes the children's garden. Miss
L. Marion Moshier, Director of Library Extension, The New York State
Library who approved the plans with the State Education Department
Buildings and Plans Committee, feels that it is a very fine library, a very
functional building. Mr. Dippell, the Architect and Miss Moran, the
Library Director have been invited to display the plans at the American
Library Association Conference in July, and the building will be featured
in a forthcoming issue of the Library Journal.
The proposed Library building, as presented to the taxpayers for
their approval has been carefully designed to do only one thing ... pro-vide
the Massapequas with the best possible library facilities within the
limits of the community's pocketbook.
Location
Site Cost
Project Cost
Size
Cost to Taxpayer
Registration
Open Meeting
Vote
The Library at a Glance
West side of Central Avenue between New York and Penn-sylvania
Avenues.
Donated by Mrs. Katherine Smith
$225,000.
1 story, brick & steel, 11,000 sq. ft.
.02¢ per hundred dollars of assessed valuation.
May 31, 1955 9:00 A. M.-ll:OO P. M.
Parkside School
May 31, 1955 8:30 P. M., Parkside School
June 7, 19559:00 A. M.-ll :00 P. M., Parkside School
Librcry ' Trustees
Rev. John M. Haight
Chairman
Mrs. Jack Melkin
Trustee
Mrs. Hector A. Donderi
Secretary
Mr. George C. Harte
Trustee
• Mr. George L. Goss
Treasurer
For More Information On The Massapequa Public Library Call:
PY ramid 8-4607
Miss Virginia L. Moran ~
Library Director
MASSAPEQUA PUBLIC LIBRARY
560 Broadway
Massapequa, N. Y.
Sec. 34.65(E) P.L.&R.
U. S. POSTAGE
PAID
Massapequa, N. Y.
Permit No. 16
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