The mission of the Garden City Public Library isto connect people with information.
Mon: | 9:30 AM to 9:00 PM |
Tues: | 9:30 AM to 9:00 PM |
Weds: | 9:30 AM to 9:00 PM |
Thurs: | 9:30 AM to 9:00 PM |
Fri: | 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
Sat: | 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
Sun: | 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM |
Library Board to Meet
There will be a Regular Meeting of the Board of Library Trustees on Monday, March 18, 2024 at 7:30 PM at the Garden City Public Library. The meeting will take place in the Small Meeting Room on the lower level.
Agenda, Regular Meeting of the Board of Library Trustees, 3/18/24
Empire Safety Council Defensive Driving
Join us on Saturday, April 13, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM for a Defensive Driving Course with the Empire Safety Council. Receive a 10% reduction on automobile/liability insurance and qualify for a license-point reduction.
Registration is required. Garden City Public Library cardholders can register in person at the Reference Desk beginning Monday, March 18. Those without a GCPL card can register beginning Friday, March 22.
A separate registration is required for each person, and proper ID is needed when registering an absentee party.
You must bring a $33.00 check made payable to Empire Safety Council to the Reference Desk.
Bring your valid New York State driver’s license and a pen to class.
Fun in the Works for Kids & Teens
The Library staff has been working on great activities for spring. From popular favorites to new and seasonal programs, there’s something fun for everyone! (New or seasonal activities are underlined). Here are just a few – there’s more in store!
- Hands-on Play – Lego Club, “DUPLO Lego,” Brio train set! “Crafting with Friends,” “Young Engineers,” “Teen Paint Night“;
- Music and Stories – “Play Hooray Babies,” “Music for Aardvarks,” “Jump for Joy,” Teen poetry display with poetry by community teen volunteers, “Tot’s Night Out“;
- Engaging Activities – “Spring Egg Hunt” (preschool) and “Egg Scavenger Hunt” (everyone), featuring eggs decorated by our teens, Chick Incubation Program;
- Caring for Our Feelings – “Friendship Bracelets for Community Service” (teen), “Kindness Cards for Community Service,” Calming Corner (coming later in 2024; thanks to a NYS Grant);
- Giving Back (teens) – Teen volunteer opportunities for children’s programs; “VolunTeen Artists,” Teen Advisory Board.
Check back for more great activities; on the website, Facebook, or by following our newsletter.
Bookmarks for Community Service
Earn community service by creating bookmarks for Garden City Public Library patrons! Each volunteer will receive 10 bookmarks to color, decorate, and write on with positive or library/book themed messages. These bookmarks will be available to patrons to take at the Library.
To participate, please register online via Eventkeeper. Volunteers can register once each week for six weeks for the winter season as follows:
- Registration Week Three: Monday, March 18, at 10:00 AM to Friday, March 22, at 4:00 PM.
- Registration Week Four: Monday, March 25, at 10:00 AM to Friday, March 29, at 4:00 PM.
- Registration Week Five: Monday, April 1, at 10:00 AM to Friday, April 5, at 4:00 PM.
- Registration Week Six: Monday, April 8, at 10:00 AM to Friday, April 12, at 4:00 PM.
Bookmarks should be returned no later than Tuesday, April 30.
Registrants will be asked to pick up their bookmarks at the Library in order to participate in this community-service program. Volunteers must return 10 completed bookmarks in order to receive community service. Volunteers will receive two hours for every 10 bookmarks they submit, at the discretion of the Tweens and Teens Department.
This program has been funded by the Friends of the Garden City Public Library.
Preschool Spring Egg Hunt
Additional slots were made available.
Join us on Tuesday, March 26, from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM for this fun scavenger hunt for children ages ages birth to 5 years old (not in Kindergarten) and an adult caregiver. Children will look high and low on the main floor of the Library for eggs filled with candy
Children should bring a basket or tote for the candy they find inside the eggs. Children take the candy home but leave the eggs at the Library.
Registration will re-open on March 19, at 10:00 AM. Online registration with a Library Card on Eventkeeper is required. A separate registration for each child you wish to attend the program.
This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Garden City Public Library.
Did You Know . . .
. . . the difference between the Library, the Library Board, and the Friends of the Library?
Library Board of Trustees
The Garden City Public Library is chartered as an educational corporation by the State of New York and maintains a legal existence separate and distinct from the Village of Garden City. The Library is governed by a 5-member Board of Trustees responsible for its oversight. The Library Board of Trustees has authority over policy-making, the expenditure of Library funds and administration.
Relationship with the Village of Garden City
The Village Board approves the overall amount of funding proposed by the Library Board to be appropriated for Library purposes, however, only the Library Board has authority over the expenditure of Library monies. The Library cannot solicit funds. Library Trustees are appointed by the Mayor and Village Board. A member of the Village Board is usually assigned the role of Village Liaison to the Library. The Liaison attends Library Board meetings in a non-voting capacity.
Relationship with the Friends of the Library
The Friends of the Garden City Public Library are a separate 501(c)(3) organization governed by an independent board. The Friends‘ mission is to provide financial support and other assistance to the Garden City Public Library to enhance the programs and services available. They do not provide personnel funding.
For more information about the Library, check the website, Facebook, or by following our newsletter (subscribe on our home page).
Library Board Thanks Village Trustees for Support
The following letter is reprinted by request:
February 28, 2024
Thank you for the ongoing support!
Village Board of Trustees
Incorporated Village of Garden City
351 Stewart Avenue
Garden City, NY 11530
Attn: The Honorable Mayor Mary Carter Flanagan and Members of the Village Board of Trustees
Dear Honorable Mayor Mary Carter Flanagan and Members of the Village Board of Trustees:
The Board of Library Trustees wishes to acknowledge with gratitude the support we have received from the Village Board of Trustees on several improvement projects at the Library.
Ten to fifteen years ago, Library Board requests for a new roof and HVAC system were not supported at first. This began to change in approximately 2018, when the Library Board requested security enhancements, following a study by the Garden City Police. The Village Board supported and implemented these measures, including a new digital security camera system and new cameras, door access controls, security guard services. read more…
Roof-Replacement Project Nearing Completion
The Garden City Public Library’s roof-replacement project is nearing completion. Abatement has been completed, as well as the roof work. The containers have also been removed from the parking lot. Masonry restoration work is ongoing; the project will take a few more weeks to complete. This work has no impact on Library hours and services.
Reading Pals
“Reading Pals” is a program presented by the Young Adult Department in conjunction with the Children’s Department.
This program brings together teen volunteers to read to children ages 4 through Grade 2 under Librarian supervision, ending with a simple craft.
“Reading Pals” will take place on Tuesday, March 19, from 4:00 PM to 4:30 PM.
Online registration on Eventkeeper with a library card is required, beginning Tuesday, March 12, at 10:00 AM. You must do a separate registration for each child you wish to attend.
This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Garden City Public Library.
Volunteers Needed: Reading Pals
Volunteer to read to and then do a craft with children ages PreK-Grade 2 during the program “Reading Pals“!
The March session will be held on Tuesday, March 19. The “Reading Pals” program runs from 4:00 PM to 4:30 PM.
Volunteers are asked to arrive at 3:30 PM to review the material before the start of the program and stay until 5:00 PM to help clean up. Volunteers must be in Grades 6-12 only. Registration to volunteer begins Tuesday, March 12, at 10:00 AM online via Eventkeeper.
This program has been funded by the Friends of the Garden City Public Library.
Problem Registering for a Progam?
If Eventkeeper is down, please call the Library at 516-742-8405 and speak to a staff member in the department hosting the event that you want to attend.
Friendship Bracelets – Community Service
Make friendship bracelets for friends and Library patrons during “Friendship Bracelets for Community Service, which will be held at the Library on Monday, March 25, from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM.
In this program inspired by the Taylor Swift Eras Tour, create friendship bracelets to trade and give to friends and for the Library to give to patrons.
At least one bracelet you make must be used for the Library to give out to patrons in order to earn community service.
This program is for tweens and teens in Grades 6-12. Registration is required and begins Tuesday, March 19, at 10:00 AM online via Eventkeeper.
Space is limited, so check Eventkeeper for availability.
This program has been funded by the Friends of the Garden City Public Library.