June is the month when West Hempstead residents will not only find out if they will get a new library. They will also find out if they can even be called residents of West Hempstead.

On June 12, the community's residents will vote whether the community should be called "West Hempstead" or "Mayfair Park." The name change is a movement apparently spearheaded by some members of the West Hempstead Civic Association. The organization's president, Seth Bykofsky believes there is support in the community for a name change.

Supporters feel changing the community's name would dispel negative perception about it as well as give the community a unique identity.

Voting will take place from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the lobby of the West Hempstead Public Library, 252 Chestnut Street.

Later in the month, residents will vote on whether to approve a new 26,500 square foot library to be built on the corner of Woodfield Road and Hempstead Avenue. The anticipated cost of the building project is $10 million. The average homeowner can expect to pay $20 per month for the bond issue's 30-year period. However, library budgets figure to be higher in future years if the project is approved since it will cost more to maintain a larger structure and more materials would be purchased.

Many agree that West Hemsptead does need a more modern library. The space currently allocated for the West Hempstead Public Library, located at 252 Chestnut Street, is approximately 8,000 square feet. With advances in technology and more research material available, supporters of a new library project feel the community needs more space to accommodate learning in the 21st century.

There has been some concern raised as to the location of the proposed project. Traffic safety is said to be an issue since the project will be built near a major intersection. Also, the area in question, some feel, needs some revitalization before a structure conducive to learning should be put there. However, members of the library board feel the location is still the best site available and the least flawed. The board carefully studied other sites that were deemed inadequate due to poor size, shape or location and the fact that alternate properties could not be obtained. Polls will be open from noon to 10 p.m. at the current library. You must be a registered voter of West Hempstead.