2 minute read
Bellmore's Two Libraries
A town that loves to read: Meet Bellmore’s two libraries
Bellmore is home to two libraries — the Bellmore Memorial Library on the southern half of Bedford Avenue, and the North Bellmore Public Library on Newbridge Road. The Bellmore Memorial Library was founded in 1948 by civic-minded residents in a central location in South Bellmore. Bedford Avenue starts at Merrick Avenue, intersecting with Sunrise Highway, taking travelers toward Bellmore’s center for local shops and commerce. Its building is now a vibrant community center, serving some 16,000 residents.
The library in North Bellmore dates back to the 1960s. It recently underwent an extensive renovation, which expanded its size and modernized that location. During the construction process, artwork from the past was discovered, making many Bellmorites fond of the building’s history and its ever-growing future. No matter which library neighbors claim as theirs, they’re sure to find a wonderful educational center that keeps the community learning and reading.
Over the past couple years, Bellmore’s libraries have needed to adapt to the coronavirus pandemic, and find new and different way to host regular activities. With that said, this past summer, activities and the seasonal reading
Jordan Vallone/Herald photos Top: Bellmore Memorial Library’s Martha DiVittorio, Pamela Pagones and director Elaine CummingsYoung at last year’s Bellmore Family Street Festival. Bottom: North Bellmore Public Library’s Nancy DeLuca, Mary Anne Leisenring, director Jessica Tymecki, Corinne Thurale and Melissa Bobe greeted young readers last fall at the Bellmore Family Street Festival.
program were back in at full capacity.
Earlier this year, the Bellmore library collaborated with local schools to host field trips in an effort to attract more students visit the library. Pamela Pagones, head of the library's children’s department, says it helped draw attention to the library.
Jessica Tymecki, the director of the North Bellmore library, said the facility’s programming has been back at full capacity. “Our story times have a great number of kids coming out with their parents,” she said. “Every day, we see more people coming into the building.”
Still, the libraries are cognitive that some people may prefer virtual or hybrid programs. “We’re still offering some virtual program,” Pagones said. “We’ve been able to reach people who we’ve never been able to reach before. It’s a need the we didn’t even know existed until the pandemic, but it’s been going really well.”
Overall, the libraries are actively trying to maintain the “new normal,” while getting back to way things were pre-pandemic. “They’re little differences that we’ve been making,” Pagones said. “But we’re trying to get back to where we were, and it definitely feels good coming back.”
For more, reach the Bellmore Memorial Library at (516) 785-2990, or the North Bellmore Public Library at (516) 785-6260. — Jordan Vallone
Tim Baker/Herald photos Top: The Bellmore Memorial Library is located on the southern half of Bedford Avenue. Bottom: The North Bellmore Public Library is on Newbridge Road, across the street from the North Bellmore Fire Department.
