On Sunday, Feb. 12 the heaviest snowfall since 1947 curtailed the scheduled opening of the brand new Manhasset Public Library but it seemed the extra week of waiting only increased interest, excitement and attendance when the event occurred without a hitch on Sunday, Feb. 19. Upward of 2,000 people were said to have attended over the course of the afternoon and new library cards were being opened at a fast, steady clip. At the second floor main entrance Celtic music greeted the community, a trio headed by Suzanne Mueller.

Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony held at the entrance to the spacious new community room the speeches began. Senetta Koch, library board president and able master of ceremonies, introduced Manhasset Public Library Director Marian Robertson who said, "I'm happy to be here today, it has been a long haul. First, the library vote went down by 33 votes; in 1995 it went down by 47 votes and in 2003 the Friends of the Library launched an all-out campaign, and in March the vote was favorably passed by 1,330 votes. I believe Sophie Tucker said, 'I've been rich and I've been poor, and rich is better,' well, I've experienced victory and defeat, and victory is better."

Robertson continued saying it had been such fun watching the new building go up, "from the first shovel of dirt." She recounted how, during the excavation, a huge boulder was uncovered, too big to be removed, so they dug a larger hole and pushed it in. The work performed by all the tradesmen, she said, was so beautifully done, then added laughingly that, "it wasn't so bad having those men in hard hats around, either."

Robertson remembered that at one point the elevator wasn't working, and informed the crowd that "there are 72 steps to cover the four floors."

In conclusion Roberson said "I would not want to move into a new building again, but I am very happy today to welcome our patrons." She also thanked Sanska for making the blueprint happen, the staff, the trustees, the community and the architect, Roger Smith.

Roger Smith said the library has a wonderful position in town and he announced proudly that it was a father/ daughter effort because his daughter was the interior designer on the project.

On behalf of the Town of North Hempstead, Councilman Fred Pollack and Receiver of Taxes Rocco Inaurelli, presented Robertson with a proclamation. Rocco Inaurelli jokingly called himself "the most hated man in North Hempstead" then told how he passed the building each day from when it was a hole in the ground until now and said "It is much more than just a building, the library is the civic center of our community, a happening place for all of us." Fred Pollack said this was an extraordinary event, and an extraordinary place where people come to ask, learn, think, meet and challenge. "Finally," he said, "a modern library." The proclamation recognized the people involved in launching and seeing the library to completion. Feb. 19 was termed a day of significance for the Manhasset Public Library and the community.

The reception was sponsored by the Merrill-Lynch North Shore Complex, who provided a grant to cover food and music. Tables were laden with food around the periphery of the room and staff from the Gourmet Grill passed hors d'oeuvres. Jane Leslie, pianist, performed in the community room during the reception.

Alice Pastor, library staff, paused for a moment from taking photographs to comment that it was "a happy day and Marian Robertson's vision has come to fruition and she deserves credit for going ahead with it." Maureen Lavin, president, Friends of the Library, said "Kudos to the trustees. The Manhasset community owes a huge debt of gratitude to their hard work." Seval LaRocca, library trustee, said she was proud of the library and delighted to have a place for her four children to come to study and learn to love books as much as she does.

The new library construction began in August 2005. The new building is 41,175 square feet and approximately 42 feet high at its peak. The total cost of the new library was set at $17.8 million, toward which the library will contribute $1 million from its capital reserve fund.

The old library was dedicated on June 29, 1952, 54 years ago. The old library building is scheduled to be demolished in late February, early March, at which time work will begin on a new parking lot to accommodate 92 cars.

Al and Maryann Diaz commented, "We love the library and are happy Manhasset has the library it deserves. It is long overdue."