John Bosco, a local resident and Levittown Reference Department employee, following publication of his Jan. 10 Opinion letter "Levittown Library in Need of Modernization," was kind enough to send me a copy of his recommendations and list of proposed library improvements. I would prefer to call them "wish lists," rather than proposals, since John failed to project their approximate dollar costs. Neither did he spell out how delivery of services might be provided or improved in a "modernized" Levittown Library. On a lighter note, I noticed that John's proposal failed to provide a "drive-in return window" for Levittown's numerous video patrons who think our library is another branch of the Blockbuster Video chain.

John, in his letter, writes: "...It is truly sad to say that our library is arguably the most unattractive and physically rundown of all the libraries in Nassau." There may be some merit in what John writes and, if so, is a harsh indictment of the Levittown Board. Patricia Freund, in her Jan. 19 Opinion Letter, wisely and succinctly responded that "You can't judge a book by its cover."

The Levittown Public Library, in my opinion, is a boxy, yet, perfectly functional structure which houses a vast storehouse of knowledge. Isn't that the purpose of a library? Its original construction cost of $650,000 as part of a 1961 Levittown School District 30-year bond issue, amounting to $2,709,000, at 3.5 percent was money well spent. It's ironic that this same bond issue included $140,000 for the Wisdom Lane Annex that was razed around 1975.

There is no question that this building, in continuous use since 1963, could use some form of modernization. John is correct when he writes it would be best "...to renovate and restructure the library from within." That's exactly what the East Meadow and Plainview-Old Bethpage libraries did, as I recall, from their capital reserves, following defeats of their ill-fated bond issues.

Two of my favorite libraries are the Plainedge and Island Trees libraries. Both of these facilities would fit comfortably on Levittown's main library floor; yet, are capable of providing services, on a smaller scale, comparable to those of Levittown. The Island Trees Library, in my opinion, is "a hidden jewel waiting to be discovered." It has re-located four times, since receiving its charter in January 1967, and proves a library does not have to be grandiose or ostentatious to meet community needs.

Unlike John, I'm certainly not embarrassed each time I visit the Levittown Public Library! I'd be more embarrassed, however, if I knew that the Levittown Library Board failed to formulate a well-defined long-range plan for the continued operation of this wonderful facility. Possibly John's letter is the "wake-up" call they need.