New Look For Massapequa Public Library

If you've noticed some differences at the Massapequa Public Library lately, you're not imagining things.

Both the Bar Harbour and Central Avenue  branches recently received a new look and some new services.

"When I came aboard a year and a half ago, this is one of the things that they wanted to follow through on," said library director Janis Schoen said. "They had it in their minds to do a little facelift."

That facelift included a new logo, a new look library card, including a card that can fit on a keychain, as well as a redesigned website with more information.

The buildings have also changed with artwork by local students hanging in the children's section.  Librarians also took a look at all of their material.

"We had a big "weeding" program, both in the children's area and the adult area," Schoen said. "We were revamping and getting rid of older materials. Materials that just weren't being used anymore."

Instead of discarding book and other materials, the library attempts to sell them. They also partner with Better World Books a company that collects discarded materials and gives them to other organizations. Other materials were relocated. For example children's videos have been taken out of the media room and moved to the children's section.

The idea behind the the website redesign was to give library users more access to materials and information, according to Schoen.

"With our new website, we can bring products to people.  Downloadable books, and we have downloadable magazines now," she said.  Library users  are able to find instructions on downloading books for NOOK, Kindle, iPads and other devices.
Librarians are also trained to teach residents how to use the devices.

The library is also adding more story hours and crafts to their calendar to give children and guardians a chance to socialize.

For Schoen, it's all about keeping up with progress.

"there isn't any good business that's the same today as it was five years ago," she said.  "You have to change with the times. That's why your library card is so important. Don't leave home without it."