When a proposition to establish a public library was defeated in 1949, a group of very determined women formed the Garden City Library Committee and even took a course in librarianship to prepare themselves.

Hours of hard labor helped refurbish a white clapboard house at the east end of Seventh Street that the village lent the committee to use as the library's first home. Opening day was May 4, 1952.

Great buzz surrounding the opening led to a successful 1955 referendum that made the library an official part of the municipal structure of the Village of Garden City. This meant the library would be supported with public funds and governed by a board of trustees, which the village board appoints. 

Library usage skyrocketed, leading to a bond referendum in 1971 to construct a new building. Today the Garden City Public Library, a member of the Nassau Library System, has more than 160,000 holdings, including books and audio-visual materials, and offers a slew of activities for local children through its Children's Room and Young Adults programs.

Carolyn Voegler serves as library director. For more information, call the number provided  or visit its Web site.