Local Libraries Still Gateways to American Dream

by Harold Wolfson

(January 10, 2007) Our local libraries are still the gateway to the American Dream, but they need continuing support. That was the message given by Mamaroneck and Larchmont public library officials to the Local Summit organization at its regular monthly meeting on December 19 at the Nautilus Diner. Representing the institutions were Helen Rafferty, board president and Susan Benton, director of the Mamaroneck Public Library and Miriam Curnin, board president and Diane Courtney, director of the Larchmont Public Library.

From left: Susan Benton, Mamaroneck Library director; Helen Rafferty, Mamaroneck Library board president; Miriam Curnin, Larchmont Library board president; and Diane Courtney, Larchmont Library director.

Ms. Rafferty offered herself as a “poster child.” She said she was able to achieve the American dream because of a library in her native Brooklyn. “Libraries have the power to change people’s lives for the better,” she said. “They changed my life.”

Father was a Day Laborer

“This same miracle still takes place in libraries,” she said. “But many people are still outside the gates and don’t know how to get in. And the gap between those who get in and those who don’t is widening.” She said that greater public support for libraries can narrow that gap, adding, “Libraries are the most democratic institutions in the country.”

More Libraries than McDonalds

Ms. Courtney presented the Larchmont story. She said that “Nationwide, there are more libraries than McDonalds. Larchmont Library is the 6th busiest in Westchester. At age 80, it is open 63 hours a week and lends 367,000 books, discs, DVDs and other items a year. She said that the library runs a host of programs to serve a variety of interests and is conducting a current user survey to learn what new services will be helpful. She said that in the book publishing field. I am known as the ‘queen of book clubs’ because we support 32 book clubs here.”

Larchmont Library board chairman Miriam Curnin noted that despite its progress, the library suffers from lack of space. But she said there are plans afoot to enlarge its children’s section, and certain other areas and to add technological improvements (see: Larchmont Library Children's Room Will Get Major Redo).

Ms. Courtney showed one technological innovation, a matchbook size device dangling from a cord. It proved to be a “Playaway” MP3 electronic device preloaded with a popular novel which is available to cardholders. The library also has a system by which the public can download books from the library’s website to their own MP3 players.

Ms. Rafferty presented both good and bad news about the Mamaroneck Library. The bad news is that its physical plant is crumbling and its space is insufficient for the ambitious programs conducted. The good news is that the library plans a $17 million renovation and expansion that will upgrade the present facilities and provide 20,000 additional square feet of space (see: Proposal Unveiled for Doubling, Updating Mamaroneck Library). The Library board has already begun fundraising with good results.

Ms. Benton pointed out that the 83-year old Mamaroneck Library serves a very diverse population for which it offers a wide variety of programs, including special programs for immigrants. Like its Larchmont cousin, it has a great number of technologically based services and for many families it provides their only computer access.

Library Use Growing

In answer to a question about whether the use of the libraries has been reduced by the public’s growing access to the Internet, Ms. Benton said, “No, our activity has increased 40 percent over the past five years.” Ms. Courtney also verified this. She said that baby boomers going back to school or changing jobs have increased library attendance as well as school children who find they need help in both their computer and research skills. Both librarians gave high praise to the Westchester Library System, a cooperative through which cardholders can order books from any library in the county.

Harold Wolfson is on the board of the Local Summit, which meets the third Tuesday of every month from 7:45 to 9 am at the Nautilus diner. All residents of the tri-municipal area who subscribe to the Summit’s mission and uphold its call for open, respectful and constructive dialogue are welcome.

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