ONLINE EDITION FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 14, 2001

Opinion

I applaud the suggestion of Elyse and Harold Hecht in their letter of the August 30 Roslyn News to explore the possibilities of building a new library on the East Hills Park District property. As those of us who use the Bryant Library know, its facilities are woefully inadequate, due to lack of space and parking. Our community with such high academic records and aspirations needs a library that can adequately serve the requirements of our top-rated school district.

Advantages of locating a new library on the East Hills Park District property are many.

* No taxable property would be taken off the tax rolls.

* A new fully equipped library could be built without disturbing the functioning of the existing library, without entailing the expense of temporary facilities and at minimum inconvenience to the library patrons.

* The cost of erecting a new building on an unimproved site is considerably less than renovating an old building.

* Adequate parking could be provided.

* There is an existing bus route on Harbor Hill Road which could serve the transportation needs of many in the community. The site is within walking distance of the high school. While the location is not Úquot;dead central,Úquot; it is as close to central as we can hope to achieve.

* The existing Bryant Library buildings could be used for some other worthy purpose to accommodate the increasing needs of our community.

* Our present library is in a park. This proposal would continue the tradition of locating our library in a park setting.

As a long time resident of East Hills and an active Bryant Library participant, I hope that the many people who agree with the above will make their voices heard to the boards of both the Village of East Hills and the Park District.

Norma Perlman