Carol L. Ahrens was hired last month to serve as the director of the Hicksville Public Library. She replaces Celeste Watman who, in 2005, moved on to become director of the Levittown Library.

Of her new position, Ahrens, a resident of Massapequa, said, "I like being challenged. I like the renovation process. It's like having a baby. You see the project through from infancy to maturity. It's a nice feeling to see the idea on paper actually working."

Ahrens, who previously worked as director at the Franklin Square Library, will continue with the expansion of the library's new off-site computer resource center, which is set to open before summer at 101 Jerusalem Avenue. The center is designed to expand the computer usage that is not available in the library. Currently there is a waiting list to use the computers, which has caused librarians to put a time restriction on the use. The new center will have 19 computers, wireless connections, a meeting room and computer classes will be available to Hicksville residents.

Ahrens said one of the goals of the library is to bring in more people of different ethnicities, such as Indian, Korean and Hispanic. Members of the Literacy Volunteers of Long Island and Friends of the Hicksville Public Library have volunteered to help those ethnicities as well as others better communicate.

"There are 18 people on a waiting list who want to be taught to speak English and to learn how to read," Ahrens said. "We have succeeded more in the children's area. We are looking to bring in foreign language mini-collections from the Hempstead Library. We offer programs [now] but we don't seem to be reaching the people we want to reach. I know there are things we can do."

Another plan Ahrens has for the library is to combine the functions of staff members and divide up the workload. "I'm looking at our budget and analyzing it to find ways to save costs. There are different things I can do to maximize the dollars. I'm bringing in an auditor and he's going to look at segregation of duties," said the director.

Cutting costs and aiding in renovation projects are familiar areas for Ahrens, who helped complete library expansions at the Franklin Square Public Library and the Mineola Memorial Library. She also saved on personnel costs by replacing librarians with clerks on the Internet reference desk in Franklin Square and re-evaluated contracts with an auditor to provide better analysis of library funds.

According to President Mike Galgano, the board of trustees is pleased to welcome Carol Ahrens as the director of the Hicksville Public Library. "Her more than 20 years of experience as a library director means that the Hicksville community is getting a proven leader who will bring her vast experience and knowledge to our library," said Galgano. "She has overseen construction projects at other libraries and has implemented cost-saving measures in those communities without sacrificing service and programs. The board looks forward to working with her in order to continue the Hicksville Public Library's tradition of excellence in service and programs."

"Carol has made a terrific impact on the Hicksville Public Library in the few short weeks she has been director. She is personable and interested in not only the library and its employees, but also in all organizations serving the community of Hicksville, taking an active approach to meeting with groups in and out of the library," said library board trustee Valerie Pakaluk.

Trustee Anthony Edelman said, "Carol brings with her a wealth of experience in library operations and management. As she leads the library in meeting the evolving requirements of a diverse community, her tenacity, thoroughness and proven fiscal control will serve the community well."

For more information on the Hicksville Public Library or the new off-site computer resource center, call 931-1417.