The Westbury Children’s Library has been a staple in the community for 100 years. In June, hundreds of people celebrated the library becoming a centenarian.
The children’s library opened its doors to the public for the first time on June 24, 1924. The library was created in memory of Col. Robert Bacon, the secretary of state and ambassador to France under President Theodore Roosevelt.
In keeping with Bacon’s desire to be “an inspiration and to awaken big ambition” in young people, Martha Bacon — with the help of architect Julian Peabody — decided to build a memorial dedicated to children.
A century later, neighbors shared their anecdotes at the June 24 birthday celebration about how the library’s core message remained unchanged.
About 300 people, including local politicians and Westbury Mayor Peter Cavallaro, attended the celebration. The event started with a breakfast at the adult library, and then everyone walked over to the children’s library, where people told stories about how much the building meant to them.
“It’s hard to believe that it’s 100 years old,” Peter Cavallaro, mayor of Westbury, said. “It’s basically the same as it was when I was a kid going there with my mother 50 years ago.”
Cavallaro walked down memory lane, saying that the library had the same smell and creeks in the floor. He told the librarian that when he was 12 and part of the summer reading program there, he would read the Hardy Boys books, which she immediately pointed to on the shelf.
“And she showed me the books and I don’t think they’re the exact same, but had them sort of in the same location,” Cavallaro said.
Cavallaro described the library in a few words: ” It’s a special place.” He said the building is an iconic cultural institution and that the village is “lucky to have it.”
Then, the historical society archivist gave a tour of the new historical book collection room at the adult library, which houses books and toys that haven’t been on display in a long time.
“Later in the day, we had our big children’s party,” Emily Farrell, head of the Westbury Children’s Library, said. “We had a DJ, a bounce house, and we had local groups come.”
The children at the event spent time with characters like Spider-Man and Cinderella while also exploring the inside of a local fire truck. Farrell said that the kids also did crafts.
“The community has changed over and over again, but honestly the Westbury Children’s Library really hasn’t,” Farrell said. “We’re still doing our story times and reading groups and we continue to do what they have been doing 100 years ago.”
Farrell said the library’s longevity can be attributed to the constant need for kids to learn how to read. She said that trying to recruit children to the library at a young age and help them ignite their love for reading is “the most important thing” to keep libraries thriving.
Cavallaro echoed this sentiment, saying the library spurred his curiosity at a young age and “engendered” his desire to read.
“The library got young people, and it still does, interested in reading, which is really important,” Cavallaro said.
Farrell said the library continuing to offer programs to babies and toddlers is important so they know what the facility offers and can come back when they need help on a project, a reading, book discussions, etc.
She said the library is here to provide as much help to students as they can and will continue to do so for the next 100 years.