Listed below is the approved schedule of the 2025 Board of Library Trustees meetings.
The Library Board presented the results of the Library Survey in a work session at the Library Board meeting on October 20, 2025. This survey was offered electronically during June 2025 and garnered 1,292 responses. The majority of survey respondents are members of households consisting of adults with children under the age of 10, couples without children, and single individuals. This demographic breakdown aligns closely with data from the U.S. Census and the American Census Survey (ACS) for our community.
The Summary Survey and Library Survey Presentation can be found at https://gardencitypl.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Summary-Survey-2025v6.pdf and https://gardencitypl.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Library-Survey-Presntation-2025.pdf, respectively.
The survey revealed most patrons visit the Library to borrow materials, books, museum passes, DVDs, and video games. There is strong interest amongst respondents in expanding the adult collection—specifically best sellers and biographies, and offer additional museum passes. Children’s programs are the most popular although the survey showed a clear desire for more diverse and expanded programming. The survey revealed a notable gap between the resources and services patrons use and value, versus their reported level of satisfaction.
With regard to space needs, respondents identified a strong need for more study rooms, meeting/program space for community groups and improved program space. It is worth mentioning that following the development of the Children’s area in 2022, usage, programming, and patron satisfaction significantly improved.
When teen/tweens, adult, large children’s programs, and large group events were scheduled in the lower level, lower satisfaction ratings resulted. In response, the Library Board of Trustees and Administration are developing plans to renovate the lower level. If funding is approved, many of these space-related issues can be addressed.
The survey confirmed a need to improve customer service in specific areas of the Library. Respondents also emphasized a desire for stronger communication through:
The Library Board of Trustees and Administration team will be setting priorities, including some identified through the survey, to actively address ongoing website upgrade, social-media reorganization, and collaboration with Garden City News to enhance the visual presentation. Thank you to all who participated.
Pictured are Library Board Chair Colleen Foley, Friends Director Cathy Walsh, volunteers Jann Tobias and Betty Tagliamonti, Friends Directors Rena Kuhl and Patricia Heaney, volunteer Saima Ajmal and Village Trustee Bruce Torino.
Representatives of the Friends of the Garden City Public Library received proclamations from several state and local officials during the October 20, 2025 Library Board of Trustees meeting, recognizing its steadfast support of the Library’s critical importance in the community, ensuring the Library gets the resources it needs to provide a wide variety of services to all ages including access to print and electronic materials, along with expert assistance in research, readers’ advisory, and children’s services.
Recognitions included a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition from Congresswoman Laura Gillen, a Proclamation from Senator Siela A. Bynoe, a Citation from New York State Assemblyman Edward P. Ra, a Citation from Nassau County Legislator John J. Giuffré, a Certificate of Recognition from Town Supervisor John Ferretti and the Town Board and a Citation from Garden City Mayor Ed Finneran.
In recognizing outstanding civic organizations that have rendered significant contributions for the enhancement of the community and betterment of residents, the Village citation read, in part: “the Friends’ donation of their time and commitment to the Library sets an example for all in how volunteerism leads to positive civic engagement and the betterment of our community.”
The Friends of the Garden City Library were established in 1952. Fundraising efforts include ongoing used book sales and two large book and raffle sales held each fall and spring. The upcoming fall sale will be Saturday, November 1. In March, the Friends generously donated a seating group with five arm chairs, two of which are power enabled, two side tables and three pull-up tables to enable patrons to work at lap height. The new furniture pieces are located in the back of the Library near the large windows and close to the book sale area which is popular for patrons browsing for bargains. The shelving in the sale section was also donated by the Friends.
National Friends of Libraries Week is coordinated by United for Libraries, a division of the American Library Association with approximately 4,000 personal and group members representing hundreds of thousands of Library supporters. United for Libraries supports those who govern, promote, advocate and fundraise for libraries, and brings together library trustees, advocates, friends and foundations into a partnership that creates a powerful force for libraries in the 21st century. For more information, visit www.ala.org/united. To learn more about how to become a member or supporter of the Friends, please contact the Library at 742-8405 or visit https://gardencitypl.org/friends/.
The 40th annual Nassau County Legislative Breakfast took place on Friday, October 3, at the Nassau Library System in Uniondale. Garden City Public Library Director Marianne Malagon joined Library Board of Trustees Chair Colleen Foley and Trustee Mary Maguire at the annual event.
Garden City Library administration and Board members had the opportunity to speak with local legislators, including Senator Siela A. Bynoe and Assemblyman Ed Ra, about the importance of public libraries, and why they need to be adequately funded.
Guest speakers included Melanie Davidoff, president of NCLA of the Port Washington Public Library; Caroline Ashby, director of the Nassau Library System; Tim Spindler, director of the Long Island Library Resources Council and NYLA president, and Max Prime, NYLA director of Government Relations & Advocacy.
The Garden City Public Library hours in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday:
. . . 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.
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