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Community Corner

Farmingdale Library Renovation Nears Completion

The second phase of the library renovation is underway.

As residents enjoy , which reopened in January, basement of the are nearing completion.

The renovations of the basement meeting rooms are the final phase of the project and are expected to be finished by the end of March. The renovation, according to Library Director Debbie Podolski, repurposed existing space and made better use of the Library’s interior.

Highlights the completed main floor renovation include a reading lounge and magazine area, 24 new computers in the Grand Room, powered work tables, and additional copiers and fax machines. There's also a larger Children’s Library with playroom, collections, an aquarium, computers, work tables and self-checkout station, in addition to an AV area with thousands of DVDs and CDs, a Teen Scene space, a Teacher’s Center, an Outreach Services section that provides career counseling services and Senior Connections resources, a quiet reading room and an outdoor Reading Garden.

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In the basement, the meeting rooms have been redone with an expanded stage and lighting for performances. Outside, there is a a new side entrance with easy access to ample parking, a new canopy over the front entrance and a new café in the rotunda complete with coffee, cold drinks, snacks and new bistro table and chair sets.

Visitors to the Library are impressed with what they see.

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“It’s gorgeous,” Podolski said. “And it’s rewarding to see people come through the door and have so many positive comments. People are drawn to a nice facility, and libraries are becoming a place where people come, in addition to being a resource for books.”

With the renovation came a technology update. The library now offers an iPad for reading magazines, a Nook for assistance with downloadable eBooks, self check-out, state-of –the-art computers and free WiFi. QR codes are also featured throughout the Library that can be scanned to smartphones. Library staff has selected interesting websites, YouTube videos and documents that offer more information relative to the QR Code section.

The original architects of the Library - Beatty, Harvey, Coco Architects, LLP – also served on this project. By repurposing the space, visitors can now better see and appreciate all the architectural details, Podolski points out. And although the renovation was a huge undertaking, the Library remained open since construction commenced last April.

“We got very creative,” Podolski said. Books and other services were routed downstairs during Phase One on the main floor, and the Library turned to St. James Church and the Stuart Thomas Manor to provide meeting space for the various programs throughout the project.

The most challenging aspect, Podolski said, is getting the final product you want and the community wants, at the right cost. Things can change that can impact the cost over the course of a project, but fortunately, everything went along according to plan. The project was paid for with reserves gained through investments and cost saving measures. The Library also received grants through the New York State Library Construction Aid program, Legislator Joseph Belosi, Senator Charles Fuschillo, Senator Kemp Hannon, Assemblyman Joseph Saladino and the Farmingdale Community Summit Council.

“We are so happy to give this to the community,” Podolski said. Plans for a grand opening celebration event are in the works for this spring.

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