Nassau Library tours is a ‘novel’ idea

For Rosie Steinhauser, visiting libraries was a luxury she couldn’t afford while growing up in El Salvador. The only people she knew who could afford to visit them were students who attended private school. Now, the Glen Cove mother of two takes her children to the Glen Cove and Locust Valley public libraries at every opportunity. When Steinhauser saw the flyer advertising this year’s Nassau Libraries Tour, she knew her two elementary-aged children, Julie and Hannah, would jump at the opportunity. 

“We had to pay about $1 to enter into the library, and I never had that dollar,” Steinhauser said when reflecting on her childhood. “For me to be around all of these amazing programs and libraries now and seeing my kids taking advantage of all of this and experience it, it means so much to me.”

To start the tour, residents like Steinhauser picked up a free map of the Nassau libraries at any of the 58 participating buildings. Participants had their visits marked off on their maps with stickers provided by each individual library. This self-paced journey took place from June 12 to Aug. 12, with some residents rushing to receive token prizes for finishing visits to five, 15, 30, 50 and 58 buildings; they include tattoos, tumblers, buttons, baseball caps and their most popular item — a plush stuffed cat wearing a library tour T-shirt. The library system offered this tour for the first time in 2019, but the countywide adventure was halted because of the coronavirus pandemic. 

The Glen Cove Public Library saw well over 800 visitors from across the county, according to Josephine Valensisi, the libraries’ circulation supervisor. 

“The 2019 tour wasn’t as popular as it was this year,” Valensisi said. “I think it has a lot to do with social media, it was out there all over Facebook. The library system did a lot of advertising.” 

Marissa Damiano, a staff member from the Glen Cove Public Library, noticed that many who visited Glen Cove loved to compare libraries within the county. She heard many people compliment the library for it’s different programs, especially those dedicated to children and teenagers. 

While on the tour, many visitors learned they have access to all county libraries and aren’t limited to their local membership.

“I think it’s great for people to see that they’re able to utilize other libraries, even though they’re a Locust Valley resident for example, “Lee said. “Barely anyone knew that, so it’s nice to know that they have the possibility of going to any library that they like within the county.” 

The tour showcases the amazing benefits and interesting aspects of each local library and their municipalities. Lisa Colon, a circulation desk clerk for the Glen Cove Library, said the tour was a great way for children to learn that librarians aren’t  “these grumpy people that shush you and wear cardigan, sweaters.”

Colon saw the tour from two perspectives. She not only helped manage the tour at Glen Cove, but also finished the tour herself in two months. She said one major thing she noticed is even though she’s lived on Long Island her entire life, she visited places she’s never seen before. 

“The whole purpose of the tour is to get people to see other libraries, and visit local restaurants and businesses,” said Lisa Zuena, a representative from the Nassau Library System. “We’ve had people say they had no idea these libraries existed, and they’ve been to communities and shopped in areas they never would have.”

Throughout the tour, Steinhauser felt as though she was going through a cultural exchange. Her children showed how proud they were to be from Glen Cove, and often talked about the city’s various summertime activities and events like the summer concert series at Morgan Memorial Park.

Steinhauser wasn’t sure she would be able to visit all 58 libraries, but said her eight-year-old daughter Julie loves a challenge, and insisted on visiting libraries on days when the family hadn’t planned to. 

“My favorite part of the library tour was spending time together with my family,” Julie Steinhauser said. “We had a great experience together.”

Additional reporting by Mark Nolan