Westbury Friends School held a dedication ceremony on Sunday, Nov. 24 to celebrate the opening of the school's Library Media Center, which includes a library and technology lab equipped with a dozen computer stations. The center is dedicated in memory of the late Leon A. Rushmore, Jr., a Quaker friend and longtime member of the Westbury Friends Board.

Mr. Rushmore, who passed away in January, first became active with the Westbury Friends School in 1995. During his eight-year involvement, Mr. Rushmore was instrumental in the planning and implementation of the school's "Building Friends for the Future" campaign which included the addition of five new classrooms and the development of the Library Media Center (LMC).

"The library dedication honors the life of Leon Rushmore, in gratitude for his longstanding work and care on behalf of Quaker education and Westbury Friends School," said Ida Edelman, director of the school.

On hand for the dedication were Mr. Rushmore's wife, Carly, daughter Mary Lee Rushmore, and son, Stephen and his wife, Judy. In noting his family's gratefulness, Stephen Rushmore said, "On behalf of the Rushmore family, we thank everyone involved in these projects for helping my father realize his dream."

Several local dignitaries presented citations and certificates of merit, with congratulatory remarks, including Westbury Mayor Ernest Strada, designee Deputy Mayor Paul Echausse and trustee Joan Boes as well as State Assemblywomen Donna Ferrara and Maureen O'Connell and Nassau County Legislator Richard Nicolello.

Groundbreaking for the Library Media Center took place at the end of June and was completed last month. At press time, school officials were anticipating holding its first class in the center early this month. The former library at the school will now house new administrative, volunteer and conference areas.

The center's library includes teaching, quiet study and group reading spaces as well as substantially expanded book and reference sections. The new space will enhance library skills for all students during the school day and in extended day programs. To date, more than 3,000 books line the shelves of the library and the school is seeking funding to purchase 9,000 additional books and bring the center up to full capacity.

The technology section is a multimedia computer lab complete with Internet access and conference, storage and support areas. Students will have access to a school-wide network and will be encouraged to view computers and emerging technologies as exciting tools for cross-curricular learning experiences.

Major funding for the LCM was made possible through the support of private donations from parents and board and meeting members, including an anonymous donation of $150,000, as well as corporate and private grants. The total cost of the project, which includes groundbreaking, internal and external construction and supplies such as books, desks and computer equipment, was $600,000.

Founded in 1957 by members of Westbury Monthly Meeting, Westbury Friends School is located on a 17-acre campus on Post Avenue, just south of Jericho Turnpike. An accredited early childhood and elementary school by the New York State Association of Independent Schools, Westbury Friends is a culturally diverse Quaker school for nursery through grade six. Currently, the school has some 155 students and offers half and full-day nursery and pre-school; full-day kindergarten through sixth grade; Early Bird and After-School Extended Day programs and several after-school clubs and sports. For more information, call 333-3178.