Readers Write: Support GN library construction plan

The Island Now

1970 was the year my husband, nine-month-old son and I moved to Great Neck. It was also the year the Main branch of the Great Neck Library opened.  

Our family spent countless hours there doing research, writing papers, listening to speakers and taking classes. It was a critical adjunct to our professional and educational lives. 

Our son and daughter, now living in other states, have sometimes asked me to borrow books they cannot find in their own libraries.

How could I not wish to ensure the survival of our library for this and future generations? Yet, I took seriously the negative feelings and beliefs I have heard from other library patrons.

Some of these concerns I shared: “It is beautiful now. Why change it?”

“I live in an old house and it functions just fine.”

“Of course, it will be expanded, not renovated.”

“Why can’t repairs be done as needed rather than replace everything at once?”

“I cannot accept a library closing for two years.”

“It will cost much more than is estimated.”

“I cannot afford a tax increase.”

I am relieved to have found satisfactory answers, easily available, to each of these concerns from the print materials, e-mail updates, library website and the comprehensive architectural drawings.  

But what worked best for me was a guided tour through each level of the library. It was revealing beyond anything I had read or imagined. 

It opened my eyes to infrastructure and space challenges that really do need urgent resolution. I was so energized about the renovation, I asked to help as a tour guide. Come join me with knowledgeable others Wednesday, Nov. 6 or 13 at 1 p.m. or Saturday, Nov. 16 at 11 a.m. 

The referendum vote is Nov. 19. Please be there. We owe it to ourselves, our children and our grandchildren to make an informed decision about Main’s future. 

Alice K. Merwin

Great Neck

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