Check out this brand new space the Long Beach Public Library revealed
Community members from near and far gathered for a grand opening reception for the Long Beach Public Library’s Vinyl Listening Lounge on Oct. 6.
The lounge, with its two vinyl listening stations, complete with state-of-the-art headphones, allow library patrons to select and listen to a wide variety of vinyl records in a unique space specifically designated for that purpose. Nassau residents with a library card can also borrow a vinyl record to take home as well.
“There are so many records that I can’t afford that I would love to listen to, and I thought a library would be a natural place for that,” Tom Wojciechowski, program coordinator at the library, said. “And then I thought of how this hobby has so many monetary barriers to entry: you need a record player, headphones, speakers, and space, which in New York is at a premium. The key is that I wanted everything to be accessible to all. So, I formulated this grant proposal and pitched it to LILRC, and we got selected for funding.”
Wojciechowski explained how Assistant Director Jakea Williams had sent around an Innovations in Technology grant opportunity through the Long Island Library Resource Council. Wojciechowski is a self-proclaimed “vinyl record nerd.”
The proposal has also been selected to present at the annual New York Library Association Conference this fall.
Wojciechowski then needed to approach Alexandra Blau, the new adult services/media Librarian at the library. He was pleased to discover a like-minded soul, as Blau was coincidentally starting a Vinyl Collector’s Club program at the library, where vinyl enthusiasts can meet monthly to chat and spin records.
“She was immediately excited about it, he said, “and we have been working on this together since. I could not have asked for a better partner.”
“For all the stars to align in this way is a big deal, and an amazing opportunity,” Blau said. “Records are outselling CDs now, and a lot of young people are doing the purchasing, and as a media librarian, you must take that into consideration. I wanted to entice people to check out vinyl, to listen to vinyl, and be a part of this revival. There aren’t any libraries that are doing this specific setup. There are libraries that lend vinyl, and that will let you listen to vinyl at a station, but nothing that’s a dedicated experience like what we’re doing here. We’re encouraging a vibe, and we’re proud of that.”
The new Vinyl Listening Lounge has one station that can be reserved in advance, and one for anyone who wishes to walk in and listen to records. Enhancing the vibe are walls mounted with assorted ‘45’s, LP sleeves, and portraits of musical artists. The lounge’s focal point is a mural hand painted by local artist Danielle Vetter, which, according to Wojciechowski, “evokes feelings of nostalgia, but also of modernity.”
Blau and Wojciechowski are also grateful to local record shops, as well as Jakea Williamson and Library Director Tara Lannen-Stanton, for supporting their vision.
“One of the things that I love about Long Beach is that it’s so musically and artistically inclined, and I believe the Vinyl Listening Lounge is another aspect of that. I hope that it brings a lot more people into the library,” said Lannen-Stanton.
“Vinyl can be a very personal and solo thing, so I love receptions like this, and a Vinyl Club where people can hang out and talk about their musical experiences,” said Frank Braithwaite of Smithtown. “I want to belong.”
Braithwaite, a member of the Vinyl Collector’s Club, makes regular one-hour trips to the Long Beach library.
So why turn to vinyl records in this digital age?
“It’s a conscious choice to spend time with a record, as opposed to putting your iTunes on shuffle or letting an algorithm decide what you’re listening to,” Blau said. “I love that when people come here, they are going to be able to take time for themselves and reflect. There’s so much emphasis these days on mental health, and I think music plays a huge part of that.”
