Recovered from Sandy, Long Beach Library Reopens

Story and Photos by Chris Engelhardt

A slew of residents returned to the Long Beach Library on Wednesday, checking out books, DVDs, CDS and other items and using its computers and desk services, after the main branch officially opened its doors to the public nearly five months after Hurricane Sandy.

Bob Shanley was among a number of patrons who said it was difficult to have the library, located at the center of town at 111 W. Park Ave., shut down due to the devastating storm.

“It was a mess — it was really sad that the library was down,” said Shanley, who frequently visits the facility to borrow DVDS, books and CDs.

“I’m thrilled that it’s back,” he continued, noting that the library is not only a valuable source for literature, music and film, but for its array of cultural and musical events.
 
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Resident Alex Lins, 23, who regularly uses the library’s computers for work and leisure, said that while the library was closed he had to rely on friends and family for Internet access. “It was hard, the first couple of weeks, there was no Internet here,” he said. “It’s really good that the library has reopened.”

George Trepp, the library’s director, said that the library is functioning at “about 80 percent,” and that he, along with staff, are glad the facility is up and running again.

“There’s a sense of relief and satisfaction,” he told Patch Wednesday. “People in the community have been expressing a great deal of enthusiasm about the reopening. There’s a lot of ‘we miss you’ sentiment.”

In an effort to help the library reopen after Sandy, 30 volunteers assisted in wiping down shelves and preparing them so items could be returned to their prior places in February, and earlier this month, more than 50 volunteers assisted in reorganizing the building’s collection of 150,000 books.

Trepp acknowledge that though most of the library has been brought up to speed, more work needs to be done.

“We’re converting the quiet study into a small meeting room and a quiet study,” he said. “Under the reference desk, circulation desk and, interlibrary loan desk, there are no cabinets for storage. All of that is due in the middle of April.”

Otherwise, all books have been reorganized, electrical outlets are functional, and the facility is now stocked with 60 new chairs that arrived in mid-March, Trepp said. New furniture has been set up in the computer room, and more will furniture will arrive soon for the quiet study room. The library invested in new work surfaces and surge protectors for the technology center.

Trepp said that there is also new carpet tile, at a cost of nearly $43,000, and that the library is looking to recover half the expense through a state construction grant.

“Annually, New York State provides money for construction to libraries,” he said. “They made money available to libraries impacted by Sandy. It happens that Long Beach Library is the only one in Nassau County that applied for state construction money. It’s a 50 percent match grant.”

The application for the grant was submitted in early March.Trepp said the library ordered stack ends, which will arrive at the end of the month. The library will also look to apply the state construction grant to the purchase. “We’re not completely done yet,” he said of the library’s recovery.

Meanwhile, residents who turned out for its reopening Wednesday, including Long Beach resident Patricia Smith, were simply happy that the branch had its doors open to the community  once again.

“I visit the library all the time,” said Smith, an avid reader who stayed with her daughter in Valhalla for 10 weeks after the hurricane. “Many of my friends of mine gave me books when it was closed. I think the library is absolutely a necessity, and today is wonderful. It was a shame it was so damaged after the storm, but I’m glad it’s finally open again.”

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