On Friday, Sept. 11, Friends of the Plainview-Old Bethpage Public Library presented a state-of-the-art lectern to the library in a moving ceremony honoring the late Thomas Hayden III, a community activist and member of the Friends. The lectern features a plaque honoring his memory.

Included among elected officials, distinguished guests and members of the community who attended, were Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto; Councilman Leonard Symons and Assemblymen David Sidikman, Marc Herbst, Judy Jacobs and Ed Mangano of the 13th, 14th, 16th and 17th Legislative Districts, respectively. Also present were Father John Meyer, pastor of St. Margaret's Episcopal Church; School District Superintendent Anthony Cavanna, school board members and members of the Friends of the Library. Friends Chairperson Anna Goidell conducted the proceedings.

Assembled guests heard Town Supervisor Venditto praise the Town of Oyster Bay. He said, "Time and time and time again, it is consistently found to be the most desirable place to live...because of people like yourselves who care to make it a desirable place."

Supervisor Venditto and Councilman Symons presented Joan Hayden with a citation honoring her late husband, calling it "the highest civilian honor...given to builders of excellence." Following remarks by elected officials, Library Director Rhoda Orenstein, and Father Meyer, all extolling the library's virtues as "a special place"..."a great resource for the community." Legislators Jacobs and Mangano presented the Friends with a proclamation. The ceremony concluded with the Friends' formal presentation of the much-needed lectern to a grateful library.

The dedication ceremony was held during a popular current events seminar, "Insights Into Current Issues," offered monthly at the library by Barbara Krupit. Both the dedication and the lecture were attended by an enthusiastic capacity audience.