It may have been raining outside, but there were sunny smiles on the faces of all who attended the Grand Opening of the Children's Library Satellite March 11 at the Park Avenue School library in Westbury. Musical performances by the Drexel Ave. School String Ensemble and Chorus, and by the second grade classes from Park Ave. School helped make the event a success.

"Reading is the cornerstone of education," said Westbury Memorial Public Library Director Barbara E. M. Krampitz in her greeting. "The earlier children learn to read books and enjoy books, the more successful they will be in school." Calling books "portable friends," Krampitz encouraged students to read for learning and enjoyment.

The satellite came about through a cooperative effort between the Westbury Public Library and the Westbury School District. The board of trustees and the staff of the library had long recognized that the distance to the main library and the problem of students crossing Brush Hollow Rd. needed to be addressed. As the library celebrated the 75th anniversary of the Children's Library--Robert Bacon Memorial this past year, attention turned to finding a suitable location in the New Cassel area that would expand the services already provided for children in grades 1-6.

In the spring of 1999, Krampitz initiated a discussion with Dr. William Lloyd, the assistant superintendent of schools, concerning the possible use of the school library at Park Ave. School for a Children's Library Satellite. With the encouragement and support of Dr. Constance Clark, superintendent of Westbury Public Schools, and the board of trustees of the Westbury School District, Krampitz and Dr. Lloyd then met with Gloria Dingwall, principal of Park Ave. School. Dingwall was enthusiastic about being part of the effort to bring this service to the New Cassel community.

Public library service for children at the satellite is from 4 to 7 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays and 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Saturdays. Krampitz expects that, as the satellite experiences success in the community, its services will grow. Any child who is able to print his or her name is eligible to receive a library card.