The future of Valley Stream's library

The Henry Waldinger Memorial Library as is appeared until last year when the canopy over the main entrance was replaced.

Andrew Vardakis/Herald

When the Valley Stream Public Library first opened, the priority was shelf space for books, Mamie Eng, the current director, said, and in 1962 the building was more than adequate. Perhaps, if someone had been able to see 50 years into the future, it would have included some meeting space.

Mayor Ed Fare said he wants the library to expand its offerings to the public, and that doesn’t necessarily have to take place in the current building. Programs could be held in the courtroom in the adjacent Village Hall, or even at the outdoor bandshell, also part of the Village Green complex. “We’re talking about a campus,” he said.

Eng said she would like to have movie showings for adults and children, which could be done in the courtroom.

Fare, whose uncle conducted the band at the library dedication 50 years ago, has other ideas as well. Already there is expanded wireless Internet in the building, complete with additional outlets and a better server. To go along with that, he wants to put in a small coffee shop to give the library a Barnes & Noble-type atmosphere. He said he already has some interested concessionaires, and that would not require a great deal of space.

Behind the library, Fare said, he would like to create an outdoor reading area on the patio, and add a greenhouse for year-round use. Physical expansion of the library isn’t likely. Eng said it has been talked about several times since she began working there but has never come to fruition. And Fare said he has even had conversations recently with his Building Department superintendent, but growth options are limited. Instead, with the building likely to hold the library for another 50 years, Fare said he wants expansion in other ways.

He would like the library to be open on Sundays, if only for a few hours. His other plan is to add greeters who would welcome guests to the library, help them get books, bring items to their car or help with strollers. Fare said these workers would be high school age and come from a group of the village’s seasonal employees. “I want customer service to start coming forth a little more,” he said, adding that this would also free up the librarians more for their tasks.