Bethpage-Tribune_1992-08-28

              BETHPAfiF FURI i r I »tR«Y
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Bethpage Lib
47 PQwe)I Ave
Bethpage N! 11714
YOUR OFFICIAL HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER
Serving Bethpage, Island Trees, Plainedge, Seaford, Old Bethpage and Plainview
VOL. 25 NO. 38 August 28-September 3, 1992 25 CENTS
BETHPAGE LIBRARY EXPANSION
by Linda Mangano
The Bethpage Public Library is
expanding and that is exciting
news tor the community of Beth­page.
Many residents are aware of
this expansion project but I'm not
sure they ar-e aware of exactly
what is in store for our Library and
the town of Bethpage.
Since 1963 the Bethpage Public
Library has been a valuable tool
to the community of Bethpage and
its residents by providing a valu­able
service to both young and old.
And since that time people have
come to rely on the Library for a
variety of services. In order to
satisfy residents it is now time for
our Library to move into the 21st
century with an expansion project
that is sure to make the Bethpage
Public Library the envy of many
other towns.
Presently our Library is unable
to provide many of the services
requested simply bfecause they are
lacking in space. The new
expanded Library will be able to
house over 140,000 books. There
will be a wider variety of audio
video materials in a seperate room
in order to provide for hands-on
choice, as well as a meeting room
and auditorium facility for use by
many community groups. In addi­tion
to this their will be an
expanded computer and technical
equipment department for public
use as well as broaded services for
children, young adults and
seniors.
In square footage that means
the addition of 14,000 square feet
which will bring our Library to
27,000 square feet in total.
Specifically children will benefit
from a huge selection of books
and supplements that will enrich
the Library and its patrons by
providing longer hours and a
special separate children's meet­ing
area. The underserved popu­lation,
our young adults will have
their own attractive area to meet
their educational and recreational
needs and of course our seniors
will benefit from a more comfor­table
seating area and a much
larger space for special programs
which include tax help as well as
full accessibility for the
handicapped.
What you are probably asking
right now is how much? Well let
me say, not much! The proposed
expansion is estimated to cost 2.4
miilion dollars. Okay, that sounds
like a lot but it actually averages
out to $18 per year per homeowner
or 35 cents per week. That figure
Is based on a 20 year bond issue
at current interest rates and also
on $6,000 assessed valuation.
Perhaps Library Director Toby
Hyman put It best when she said:"l
am thrilled by the plans for the
expanded library. It will not only
be beautiful but will enable the
Library to provide enhanced ser­vices
for each and every citizen.
The expansion will give added
value to our entire community."
We remind all, Bethpage resi­dents
to take part in voting for the
new Library expansion. The voting
will take place on September 21
Bentel & BerUel, Architects!Planners A.I A.
from 9 am - 9 pm, at the Bethpage
Public Library. And while you are
there stop and take a look at the
model and project plans which are
on display. To be eligible to vote
you must be a U.S. Citizen, at least
18 years of age, a district resident
for at least 30 days prior to the vote
or a registered voter.
More Information on page 7
HELP REBUILD A HOME
Brett&n's home tragkalfy bums; its mir turn now!
No one really ever realizes what
it is to have your home catch fire.
I myself really have never thought
about what it would mean to have
my house and my possessions
burn while endangering the lives
of my family. Thank God most of
us do not have to experience this
tragedy, but unfortunately, a fam­ily
quite dear to many Bethpage
residents, had to experience it first
hand on Sunday night.
Everyone knows the Bretton
family. Gary, Dariene, Christopher
and Gary Jr. Everyone knows just
how much this family does for the
community of Bethpage and for its
needy residents. Everyone knows
how deeply they are dedicated and
committed to the town of Beth­page
and now it is time that we
help the Brettons.
Gary and his family were asleep
Sunday evening when they heard
a loud bang and v*^ere awakened
by a neighbor pleading with them
to get out of the house because
it was on fire. Thank God Gary was
able to remove his children and
wife from the house before the
srnoke detectors even went off.
They sat outside their once gor­geous
home and watched it burn.
They watched their memories of
nearly 19 years go up in srnoke
ie\ all the while they were thankful
that they had there lives and each
other, the best possessions of all.
When I found out about the fire
CCorstinued on pag# 3)