2021 - 2022
Bellmore
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Living In Bellmore
Libraries
he Bellmore Memorial Library and the North Bellmore Public Library are both ingrained in the long history of the Bellmores and continue to serve as vital parts of the community. The Bellmores’ first library was organized by community members in 1948, a single room inside of a wooden schoolhouse with 150 books. More than 70 years later, the Bellmore Memorial Library and the North Bellmore Public Library serve as spacious, vibrant community centers, providing a wide range of programs and services to residents. In June 2018, the North Bellmore Public Library underwent a significant expansion project that lasted until August 2019 — its only real renovation since 1986. The library gained an additional 4,500 square feet, making space for a new community room, a specialneeds area, a fireplace for the adult room and a children’s library that nearly doubled in size. The library’s expansion and renovation design won an award for design excellence from the regional chapter of the American Institute of Architects. The libraries’ services are especially valuable to the community during the summer when they kick off reading clubs and provide entertainment and enrichment for students who are out of school. All summer programs were facilitated online this year. In response to Covid-19, the libraries created online events for all ages, including exercise classes, book discussions, story time for children, and arts and crafts at the North Bellmore Public Library.
Bellmore Memorial Library
2288 Bedford Ave., Bellmore 11710 785-2990 Director: Elaine Cummings-Young www.bellmorelibrary.org Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 9:30 a.m. - 9 p.m. Wednesday 10:30 a.m. - 9 p.m. Friday 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Saturday (July, August) 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Saturday (September-June) 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday 1-5 p.m. Sunday (July, August) Closed
North Bellmore Public Library
1551 Newbridge Road, North Bellmore 785-6260 Director: TBD www.northbellmorelibrary.org Hours: Monday-Thursday 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. Friday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Saturday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday 1 - 5 p.m. Saturday (July-August) 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Merrick Library
2279 Merrick Ave., Merrick 11566 377-6112 Director: Dan Chuzmir www.merricklibrary.org Regular Hours: Monday-Wednesday 9 a.m. -9 p.m. Thursday 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. Friday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Saturday 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday noon - 5 p.m. Pandemic Hours: Monday-Friday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. (curbside pickup and home delivery)
North Merrick Public Library
Christina Daly/Herald
Top Photo: In a race against the clock, Philip Chou, 11, helped his team decipher riddles and clues to stop a fictitious meteor from destroying the Bellmore Memorial Library during an Escape Room in 2019. Sue Grieco/Herald
Bottom Photo: Bellmore Memorial Library librarians Pam Pagones, left, and Martha DiVittorio kicked-off the Hometown Heroes board, which was later filled with stories of people who helped the community during the pandemic.
1691 Meadowbrook Road, North Merrick 11566 378-7474 Director: Susan Santa www.northmerrickpubliclibrary.org Regular Hours: Monday-Thursday 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. Friday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday 1 - 5 p.m. Summer Hours: Monday-Thursday 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. Friday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Saturday 9:30 a.m. -1 p.m. Sunday Closed