Joan Haugen, 7th from left, with local officials and board members, holding plaque for the new room named in her honor. Margaret Joan Haugen never realized she would become a crusader for her community when she moved to West Babylon in 1952. But it didn't take her long to take the lead on a project that would change West Babylon forever.

When she made West Babylon her home, she found she had to visit other libraries because West Babylon had no library of its own. That would not do, she said. So with the help of others who believed as she did, she began to petition the school district and the Town for a library for West Babylon.

It was not an easy task. The group first had to rally support for the project or the vote would surely fail.

There was considerable community support from the outset, however. Fundraisers were held and the group had representatives at school board meetings pleading their case.

Finally a vote was held. "There was an overwhelming turnout," said Haugen, who was recently honored by the library for her efforts.

Following the vote, the committee found a building at Route 109 and the library opened Sept. 11,1983. A company there was going out of business, and the library board purchased the property, sharing it for years with Lays Potato Chips, which had space in the back.

It took only one year to get the library off the ground. That's because there were a lot of dedicated, giving people who worked on it, said Haugen.

Ann Marie Dolan, the library director for more than ten years, helped continue improving the library. Over the past several years the entire building has been renovated and is today, a modern, comfortable setting for books, and other sources of information and takes full advantage of today's technology, offering these services to the public at the library and in their homes.

"In the early 90s we had computers in the library to use because people didn't have it in their homes," said Dolan. "We have evolved and taken it to the next level."

On April 16th, the library held its Silver Jubilee Anniversary Celebration, which honored Haugen and the other founders of the West Babylon Library. Dolan called Haugen's role "pivotal to the success of the library.

"She donated many hundreds of hours of her time, working to guide the development of the library and worked tirelessly encouraging others to support it," said Dolan.

"I was totally shocked when they recognized me" said Haugen. "If I would have known about it I would have dressed better," she said laughing.

For as much as Haugen gave, she said she got more in return. "The recognition was remarkable, but the people I have met and friends I have made over the years are even more remarkable; I am happy for it."

As people walk in and out of the West Babylon Library, many are not aware of its early beginnings, nor the woman who decided that West Babylon should have its own library and worked to make that happen. Haugen is still an integral part of the library and serves on its board. Now, the new meeting room in the library will bear her name.

The attendees of the celebration included the members of the Friends of the Library, patrons who volunteered over the years, honored guests such as the Receiver of Taxes Corinne DiSomma, S.C. Leg. Wayne Horsley, N.Y. State Assemblyman Robert Sweeney and N.Y. Sen. Owen Johnson.

Events that are held at the library are summer children's reading programs, senior citizens spring party and holiday parties for children. Teens also volunteer their time to meet with younger children to help them improve their reading skills and dedicated volunteers deliver books to the homebound.

"We are fortunate the staff is the best," Haugen said. "I see a lot of people there everyday."

Haugen has four children and all of them became teachers; one son sits as the chairman for the English Department in the West Babylon High School.

After all the hard work and support from the community and the continuing support through- out the years, the West Babylon Library continues to grow. "I love my library. We had to work hard to get it," Haugen said. "I have pride in my library."

The Library Board Members are President, Joyce Mangialino; Vice President, Margaret Joan Haugen; Members, Richard Harty; Joan Rizzo and Thomas Weinschenk.