Dear Merrick neighbor,
I hope you had a happy and safe Thanksgiving!
Although we hoped to reopen with limited access this Saturday, the library building will be closed to the public through Friday, December 4. We regret the inconvenience and will reopen sooner if possible. If you have items on hold that we can access, the library will contact you and offer home delivery while closed.
We are replacing most of the flooring on our main level, which was original to the building and well past its anticipated lifespan. The slate used in the lobby presented a safety hazard, and has been difficult to remove. As repairs are done, it is not feasible for staff or patrons to access the building. When the lobby is complete, we will reopen it while the rest of the flooring is installed.
Please note that this project was pre-budgeted and was fully anticipated as normal building maintenance. There will be no additional tax burden on Merrick residents. The Library Board and administration recognize that the extraordinary and trying year we’ve had has caused much economic uncertainty. We responded by keeping the library’s tax levy flat for our 2020-21 fiscal year; we did not request even the small annual increase allowed under the state tax cap. Even with the resulting fiscal restraints, cost reduction in other areas allowed us to introduce new services, such as our popular DELIVEREAD home delivery service, and a full schedule of remote programming.
As infection rates again rise and the pandemic continues to disrupt normal life, the library will continue to adapt, providing services and access that do not present an increased risk to our community, especially our most vulnerable patrons. Many of you have been using our garden to study, or for kids’ storytimes and activities. As the weather turns less favorable, we are looking for ways to safely provide alternatives.
We look forward to welcoming you back to an improved library, and hope you’ll join us for the special remote presentations and activities we have planned for the holiday season. Stay well and enjoy the holidays!
Best regards,
Dan Chuzmir
Library Director