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Welcome to the Franklin Square Library!
The mission of the Library is to strengthen our community through exceptional service, enriching programs, and lifelong learning.
The Franklin Square Public Library supports residents living in School District # 17 which includes parts of Franklin Square, Garden City South, West Hempstead, and Elmont. In addition to a wide range of fiction and non-fiction titles, the Library also has an extensive collection of audiobooks, DVDs, Blu-rays, music CDs, and an ever growing collection of ebooks and online databases. The Library provides a wide range of programs and services including story times, crafts, and book discussions for children between the ages of 2 and 12, YA programs and community service for teens 13 years and up, and programs aimed at the adult community including informative programs, book discussions, crafts, recipes, exercise classes, movie showings, tax assistance, and Defensive Driving classes.
Your Administration
Director: Aviva Kane
Assistant Director: James Pagano
Secretary to the Board: Heather Hillen
Personnel Clerk: Kim Tilman
Accounts Clerk: Carina Wankmiller
Circulation: Maureen Agnes Boles
Overdues: Joanne Tassone, Wendy Swords
Children’s Reference: Shannon Meany, Jesse D’Onofrio, Laurie Harrison
Young Adult Reference: Daphne Levy
Adult Reference: Mark Shimnoski, Winnie Boyd, Nicole Cieslewicz
Adult Programming: Phyllis Cox
Interlibrary Loan: Daphne Levy
Homebound Services: Mark Shimnoski
Periodicals: Nicole Cieslewicz, Nora Braito
Technical Services: Nora Braito, Wendy Swords, Gary Kugler
Custodial Services: Rob Walsh
A Brief History of the Library
November 1937: Initiated by members of the Monroe Street School PTA, the Franklin Square Free Library Association is formed.
January 31, 1938: The library opens in the basement of Monroe Street School. The library is open 6 hours a week and staffed entirely by volunteers.
June 16, 1939: Franklin Square Public Library is granted a charter by New York State as a School District Library.
August 1, 1939: The library hires its first librarian.
August 1945: The Franklin Square Public Library moves from its location in Monroe Street School to a storefront at 8 New Hyde Park Road. Library hours are increased to 44 hours per week.
Early 1950s: The library outgrows its New Hyde Park Road location. The idea of purchasing land and building a new structure for the library is considered by the Library Board.
November 1953: The community votes for a library building to be constructed. Several marshy lots are purchased on Lincoln Road as the future site of the Franklin Square Public Library.
1956: Ground is broken for the new building.
1957: The new building on Lincoln Road is completed and dedicated.
1964: The library celebrates its 25th anniversary. A small meeting room addition is built.
March 6, 1973: A vote to expand the library is defeated.
1974: Renovations to accommodate the handicapped are completed.
1994: Interior renovations are completed to prepare the building for computers and other new services.
January 1996: With the hope of expanding the library, the Library Board purchases two adjacent houses north of the existing building.
October 1996: The Library Board proposes an expansion which would double the size of the original library.
November 13, 1996: Put to a vote, the expansion project is rejected by community voters concerned about its price and the impact a larger library would have on the local parking situation.
December 1, 1998: A second more modest expansion project is voted upon. This time the vote passes overwhelmingly.
June 9, 2000: Ground is broken for the expanded Franklin Square Library. The project’s architect is Schaardt & Fullan, de Silva Architects and the project manager is Edwin S. Tweedy, Inc. With only a few exceptions, the Library remains open throughout the construction process.
October 6, 2002: The expanded and updated library is re-dedicated.
2007: The Franklin Square Public Library celebrates its 50th anniversary at its Lincoln Road location.
2011: A remodeling of the Library’s front door is completed making the building more energy efficient and handicapped accessible. (see images from the renovation)
2019: New Teen Space is dedicated.
Franklin Square History
- Franklin Square history books by Paul D. Van Wie, Town Historian
- Also available to purchase at the Circulation Desk. Titles and pricing flyer.
- Franklin Square History PDF
- Franklin Square Audiovisual Collection (which includes footage of the groundbreaking and dedication ceremonies of the Library)
Artwork in the Library
The Franklin Square National Bank Murals
The main reading room of the Franklin Square Public Library is graced with five large murals entitled “The Future Is Now.” These murals were commissioned by Arthur T. Roth, President of the Franklin Square National Bank and painted in 1947 by the noted artist Edward Sinnott. Once completed they were mounted on the upper walls of the Consumer Banking Hall of the bank at 925 Hempstead Turnpike, Franklin Square, and were retained by the European-American Bank after the Franklin National Bank was liquidated in 1974.
The murals were donated to the Franklin Square Historical Society in 1989 and restored by the firm of Kaliski and Danks through a Legislative Grant obtained by State Senator Kemp Hannon.
In general, the murals expound the theme “The Future Is Now.” This theme was chosen to encourage people to save money in the bank because they would need savings for a future which was just around the corner. The title panel features a futuristic vision of Franklin Square with a space age house, an airport, and a bus terminal. Other panels show professionals earning a living, farmers tilling the soil of then rural Long Island, as well as brides and young couples anticipating their future. One can also discern local landmarks such as the Jones Beach water tower, Sewanhaka High School, Hofstra University and St. George’s Church in Hempstead.
Wood and Steel Mobile & Watercolor Paintings
The wood and steel mobile hanging in the main reading room was created by Paul Henry and donated to the Library by Paul and Clarice Henry.
The six watercolor paintings hanging in the main reading room represents scenes from mid 20th century Franklin Square. They were painted by Salvatore J. Indiviglia.
Children’s Room Murals
The “Magic of Books” artwork in the children’s main reading room was painted by Frank Cangelosi and depicts literary characters such as Peter Pan, Harry Potter, Tom Sawyer, Little Red Riding Hood, and Little Bo-Peep.
The storybook murals in the craft room were painted by Christine Kuna. Ms. Kuna’s murals include characters from much loved children’s books such as Madeline, Kipper, Franklin, Lyle Crocodile, and Curious George.