1970.07.18 _ Victorian Transformation: It's a 'Real' Library Now
Dublin Core
Title
1970.07.18 _ Victorian Transformation: It's a 'Real' Library Now
Creator
Bakis, Ann
Source
"John C. Hart Memorial Library Historical News Clippings" Binder, Volume 1, 1919 - 1970
Publisher
Patent Trader
Date
1970-07-18
Rights
This item is made available for research and educational purposes by the John C. Hart Memorial Library. Rights status is not evaluated.
Format
PDF, 3 Pages
Language
English
Type
Text
Coverage
Yorktown (N.Y. : Town)
Text Item Type Metadata
Text
(PHOTO: Page 1 - Left) LIBRARY OPENING: Mrs. George Davis Bayley Jr., director, welcomes back patrons and overdue books. -Staff photo by Kaplan.
(PHOTO: Page 2- Right) DR. SEUSS FAN.: Terry McNamara, 7, finds a spot in front of the marble mantle piece in the children's room.
Victorian Transformation: It's a 'Real' Library Now
When George Dayis Bayley Jr. wanted to drill some holes in bis boat last weekend anci couldn't find bis workshop extension cord, his wife explained gently that he had made a temporary contribution to the opening of the new wing at the John C. Hart Memorial Library in Shrub Oak.
Mr. Bayley probably wasn't surpr:iseil-his wife. Marjory. is Yorktown's libraa director ning the several makeshift &rrangements so that the new wing could open Monday.
A charge counter had to be improvised out of a desk and some carts. And the lounge chairs and tables that will be placed near the periodicals for browsing have still not arrived.
But the public reaction since tbe opening has been one of pure enthusiasm. One woman patron rushed up to Mrs. Bayley and gave her a big bug and kiss and Library Clerk Mrs. Robert Potemski says that a number of people have enthused, "It looks like a real library."
CIBCULATION figures for the first week sine~ the opening have not been compiled, but Mrs. Bayley said old friends of the library have come in droves, and several hundred new families have registered. When asked if she had any special problem during the opening days, Library Page Claudia Migliaccio replied, "Exhaustion."
The gracious old Victorian mansion and its spanking new brick addition look a ยท mue uneasy together, as if they have not had time to get acquainted, but time will probably mellow the combination.
Meanwhile, staff and patrons alike are pleased with the inviting interior of the new wing, with its cheerful red carpet and bright white walls, its good lighting and airconditioning.
One especially inviting corner is the children's room. It's actually part of the old house, but you would never guess it. The room has been plastered and printed to look like the new wing which begins at its doorway. The room's original marblemantlepiece has been left there, though. The mantle along with the ornately framed painting of some longago little girl and her dog hanging above it, adds a touch of nostalgic cozmess to the otherwise streamlined nook.
When the new wing was completed, there was a surprise bonus that no one expected: a hallway that looks like a good place to display pictures. The hallway is another part of the old house which serves as a connecting link with the new wing, and Mrs.Bayley says. "I just never dreamed that the space would open up like this when ail those cupboards and closet doors were gone."
MRS. BAYLEY plans to establish a screening committee to approve and schedule art displays for the hallway, which is 60 feet long and seven wide . The hall is widened in several places by niches.
The top floor of the orginal Hart house is being used for planning department offices. Space downstairs has been reserved for a cataloger's office. work room and a large community meeting room where the story hour will meet. The next priority for the old building, according to Mrs. Bayley, is a fresh coat of paint.
Library hours at the Shrub Oak branch have almost been doubled since the opening of the new wing. On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday the h"brary is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and on Thursday and Friday from IO a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday hours are 1 to 6 p.m., and the library will be open on Sunday, from October 1 to April 30 only, between 1 and 5 p.m.
(PHOTO: Page 3) BUSY PAGE : Claudia Mgliaccio adjusts exhibits in the hallway.
(PHOTO: Page 2- Right) DR. SEUSS FAN.: Terry McNamara, 7, finds a spot in front of the marble mantle piece in the children's room.
Victorian Transformation: It's a 'Real' Library Now
When George Dayis Bayley Jr. wanted to drill some holes in bis boat last weekend anci couldn't find bis workshop extension cord, his wife explained gently that he had made a temporary contribution to the opening of the new wing at the John C. Hart Memorial Library in Shrub Oak.
Mr. Bayley probably wasn't surpr:iseil-his wife. Marjory. is Yorktown's libraa director ning the several makeshift &rrangements so that the new wing could open Monday.
A charge counter had to be improvised out of a desk and some carts. And the lounge chairs and tables that will be placed near the periodicals for browsing have still not arrived.
But the public reaction since tbe opening has been one of pure enthusiasm. One woman patron rushed up to Mrs. Bayley and gave her a big bug and kiss and Library Clerk Mrs. Robert Potemski says that a number of people have enthused, "It looks like a real library."
CIBCULATION figures for the first week sine~ the opening have not been compiled, but Mrs. Bayley said old friends of the library have come in droves, and several hundred new families have registered. When asked if she had any special problem during the opening days, Library Page Claudia Migliaccio replied, "Exhaustion."
The gracious old Victorian mansion and its spanking new brick addition look a ยท mue uneasy together, as if they have not had time to get acquainted, but time will probably mellow the combination.
Meanwhile, staff and patrons alike are pleased with the inviting interior of the new wing, with its cheerful red carpet and bright white walls, its good lighting and airconditioning.
One especially inviting corner is the children's room. It's actually part of the old house, but you would never guess it. The room has been plastered and printed to look like the new wing which begins at its doorway. The room's original marblemantlepiece has been left there, though. The mantle along with the ornately framed painting of some longago little girl and her dog hanging above it, adds a touch of nostalgic cozmess to the otherwise streamlined nook.
When the new wing was completed, there was a surprise bonus that no one expected: a hallway that looks like a good place to display pictures. The hallway is another part of the old house which serves as a connecting link with the new wing, and Mrs.Bayley says. "I just never dreamed that the space would open up like this when ail those cupboards and closet doors were gone."
MRS. BAYLEY plans to establish a screening committee to approve and schedule art displays for the hallway, which is 60 feet long and seven wide . The hall is widened in several places by niches.
The top floor of the orginal Hart house is being used for planning department offices. Space downstairs has been reserved for a cataloger's office. work room and a large community meeting room where the story hour will meet. The next priority for the old building, according to Mrs. Bayley, is a fresh coat of paint.
Library hours at the Shrub Oak branch have almost been doubled since the opening of the new wing. On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday the h"brary is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and on Thursday and Friday from IO a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday hours are 1 to 6 p.m., and the library will be open on Sunday, from October 1 to April 30 only, between 1 and 5 p.m.
(PHOTO: Page 3) BUSY PAGE : Claudia Mgliaccio adjusts exhibits in the hallway.
Original Format
News Clippings
Files
Citation
Bakis, Ann, “1970.07.18 _ Victorian Transformation: It's a 'Real' Library Now,” John C Hart Library Archive, accessed May 16, 2024, https://hartarchive.omeka.net/items/show/56.