Ever wonder if you could join a mommy and me class at another library? When we first moved from the city this was a huge mystery to us. I knew we could probably go look at books, but what about some of those awesome classes? All the libraries I spoke to were so helpful and excited to welcome visitors from out of town, but it is understandable that since library programs are funded by local taxes, it cannot be a come one, come all approach. Here is the inside scoop on our libraries. I will continue to add to this list, so please check-back soon!
Port Washington Public Library
Classes are priority for Port Washington card holders. Most have an online registration form for signups. If your card is outside Port Washington, you are placed on a waiting list and then receive a confirmation 72 hours beforehand if there is space. You can also show up and if there is room, then you would be allowed to join. Classes are held in a number of locations on the lower level where the Children’s Room is: the ample auditorium space, curtained off reading space in the children’s room, their private outdoor garden or Blumenthal Park across the street. Their classes are very popular and routinely sold out. But there is a Friday Storytime class at 9:30 am that is held outdoors year round that is open to all. In the cooler months it is held in a larger space that accommodates many, but beginning in May and through the summery can find them at Blumenfeld Family Park, right across the street.
Manhasset Public Library
All the MPL classes require online pre-registration and priority is given to Manhasset card holders. However, if you show up at the time of the class and there is space available they allow non-Manhasset residents to join the classes. Classes are held in a private room in the Children’s Department of the library on the third floor. There is a fun play space with a computer lab and coloring stations should you not be allowed in the class. (It’s never happened to us!)
Bryant Library in Roslyn
The Bryant Library allows non-Roslyn card holders to join all their classes. They have some pretty awesome Mandarin language classes and a mommy-and-me storytime option that takes place in the afternoon. Classes are held in the open in the Children’s Room, so is accessible to all.
Conclusion
I prefer visiting my home library. The reason is that in the city people commute outside their neighborhood for library classes regularly, I would often run into friends or we could make an outing of going to the Bryant Park Library or the 77th Street library event though our home library would have been 96th Street. In the suburbs everyone mostly stays local and I like the idea of being in community with my community; seeing neighborhood friends or meeting new friends we can easily meet again outside of the library.
📖 📖 What about the books? 📖 📖 You may check out and return books at any library so long as you have a valid library card issued at a Nassau County library. Books with Audio (Wonderbooks) are only allowed to be check out by your home library (where your card was issued).
