Friday, June 24, 2011
Update on Site Plan Approval
The Town Board was unable to hear the library's request for site plan approval as part of its June 14th hearing but they have scheduled a special meeting on July 19 to consider the matter. It will take place at the same location, The Town Hall of North Hempstead, 220 Plandome Road, Manhasset on the second floor.
Julie Orringer makes an impact at GNL
More than 250 people showed up on Monday night, June 20 to hear author Julie Orringer speak about her book The Invisible Bridge. Chosen by the Authors @ GNL Committee as our 2011 Great Neck Reads choice, it clearly touched a chord with the many people who read it.
The story centers on Andras, a young Hungarian who arrives from Budapest in Paris to study architecture on a scholarship and the way his life is affected not only by the people he meets in Paris but how his life and that of his brothers is disrupted by the War and the Holocaust. During her talk Julie told the audience how the book began as a story that Julie's grandfather told her about his own experiences as a young architecture student in Paris.
Julie spoke movingly and eloquently about the impact her own family's story had on her and the influences it had on her writing of the book. She also spoke about the extensive research that went into its writing which lead to such an air of authenticity in the book.
After her talk, Julie graciously talked to the many audience members who wanted to share their own family stories and signed many books for the audience members who patiently stood on line waiting for their chance to meet her.
It was a singular evening and while it was a bit cramped and uncomfortable, the audience was clearly moved by the book and the author's appearance. And after all, isn't that what libraries are all about? They are here not just to store books, but to make the connection between author and reader as well as book and reader. Those connections are what make us all stronger.
The story centers on Andras, a young Hungarian who arrives from Budapest in Paris to study architecture on a scholarship and the way his life is affected not only by the people he meets in Paris but how his life and that of his brothers is disrupted by the War and the Holocaust. During her talk Julie told the audience how the book began as a story that Julie's grandfather told her about his own experiences as a young architecture student in Paris.
Julie spoke movingly and eloquently about the impact her own family's story had on her and the influences it had on her writing of the book. She also spoke about the extensive research that went into its writing which lead to such an air of authenticity in the book.
After her talk, Julie graciously talked to the many audience members who wanted to share their own family stories and signed many books for the audience members who patiently stood on line waiting for their chance to meet her.
It was a singular evening and while it was a bit cramped and uncomfortable, the audience was clearly moved by the book and the author's appearance. And after all, isn't that what libraries are all about? They are here not just to store books, but to make the connection between author and reader as well as book and reader. Those connections are what make us all stronger.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Baby it's hot in here!
As you may have noticed if you've visited us here at GNL in the last few days, we have no air conditioning. And sadly, it's not the kind of air conditioning breakdown that can be easily fixed. With a system that is 42 years old, our options are limited.
But here's what we hope to do. We hope to get a temporary solution to the problem in order to provide cooling to the building so that we don't have to expend a great deal of money just prior to our planned renovation and expansion. I'll be working with our professionals and our board to find the best possible solution that is the most fiscally prudent.
This is just another example of what happens to a building after 42 years and why we must have the renovation we so desperately need. Please be patient with us. We don't like the heat in here any more than you do.
But here's what we hope to do. We hope to get a temporary solution to the problem in order to provide cooling to the building so that we don't have to expend a great deal of money just prior to our planned renovation and expansion. I'll be working with our professionals and our board to find the best possible solution that is the most fiscally prudent.
This is just another example of what happens to a building after 42 years and why we must have the renovation we so desperately need. Please be patient with us. We don't like the heat in here any more than you do.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Know the Past, Find the Future
I'm reading the most wonderful book right now. It's a gift from my daughter who, raised as she was by a librarian, knows a good book when she sees one. It's called, Know the Past, Find the Future. The New York Public Library at 100. In it, a variety of writers, essayists and comentators as well as some New York Public Library staff members pose with and most times, comment on an item they chose from NYPL's massive and varied collections. There are works of art, books, poetry, restaurant menusm manuscripts, sometimes with the author's handwritten notes, librettos and historical documents There's even a baseball card, chosen by and commented on by playwright Will Eno. The print, or card, is called "Unidentified Baseball Player with Mustache" and the photographer is James Wallace Black. It's part of the Photography Collections in the Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art.
As I read the comments on each item chosen by these writers, I find myself eager to see the next item -- who chose it and what they have to say. I'm disappointed with the contributors who didn't really contribute other than to pose next to the items they chose.
I found myself thinking as I was reading about the enormous collection that NYPL has amassed in its 100 years and how lucky we as New Yorkers are to be able to see it. And as a New Yorker, anywhere in the state, you can have a library card from New York Public Library. I have one right now in my wallet.
We are lucky as New Yorkers to have the New York Public Library to call our own, along with our own local libraries.
We are apt, in these difficult times, to take for granted those treasures we've always had and think they'll always be here for us. Let's not do that. Let's celebrate libraries and books and artwork and the wonderful writers whose works fill them. They are what make the world a better place.
As I read the comments on each item chosen by these writers, I find myself eager to see the next item -- who chose it and what they have to say. I'm disappointed with the contributors who didn't really contribute other than to pose next to the items they chose.
I found myself thinking as I was reading about the enormous collection that NYPL has amassed in its 100 years and how lucky we as New Yorkers are to be able to see it. And as a New Yorker, anywhere in the state, you can have a library card from New York Public Library. I have one right now in my wallet.
We are lucky as New Yorkers to have the New York Public Library to call our own, along with our own local libraries.
We are apt, in these difficult times, to take for granted those treasures we've always had and think they'll always be here for us. Let's not do that. Let's celebrate libraries and books and artwork and the wonderful writers whose works fill them. They are what make the world a better place.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
The Date is Set
As some of you might have noticed by now, the date has been set by the Board of the Town of North Hempstead for the Great Neck Library's site plan approval.
On June 14, as part of its agenda, the Town Board will consider whether or not to approve our site plan. This is the last step before the Library can go to referendum. It's a big day for all of us, as we move along this very long path to our Main Library's renovation.
I'll keep you posted!
On June 14, as part of its agenda, the Town Board will consider whether or not to approve our site plan. This is the last step before the Library can go to referendum. It's a big day for all of us, as we move along this very long path to our Main Library's renovation.
I'll keep you posted!
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