Renovations will provide more space for programming

The Westhampton Free Library is closed for renovations through Monday, March 18.

The project will convert a 2500-square-foot area into usable space, including expansion of the children’s program room and a reconfiguration of the main floor to accommodate a more efficient flow, additional book stacks, a media room, and a fireplace and quiet study room. The plan was designed after a series of community charrettes, and while the library will reopen March 19, the makeover is expected to be completed in May.

“This will provide our patrons with much-needed program space and the ability to offer additional programs based on the needs of the community,” said library director Danielle Waskiewicz.

The teen department will be located upstairs with its own program room, while the “tween” area is expanding. The children’s room will not have to share program space with adults or teens, and the space will be larger. While the specifics of the additional programs are not yet known, there will be more to offer with more space. The area was not usable, Waskiewicz said, due to sanitation code restrictions.

“We are very excited,” said Sonja Roese, head of the children’s department. “The Idea Place staff and myself are looking forward to offer expanded programming with multiple sessions so our families will have more opportunity to join us in our wonderful space. The Tween Scene will be expanded with a gaming area and study section. We are very fortunate to be serving a community that supports their library as the heart of that community.”

The project is being predominantly funded through private donations, including $1.3 million bequeathed to the library by Westhampton Beach resident Ann Skovek in her will. Skovek, who died June 2013, also donated $780,000 to the Westhampton War Memorial Ambulance Association, $392,000 to Bideawee animal shelter, and $130,000 to the
Westhampton Beach Historical Society.

Please check with the library regarding cancellations, rescheduling and relocation of previously scheduled programs during renovations.

“We were very pleased and excited to receive such an amazing gift to our library,” Waskiewicz said. “We are very much looking to the completion of this project.”

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The Westhampton Free Library will be closed for renovations from Monday, February 25, to Monday, March 18.

The project will convert 2500 square feet of unused space into usable space, including expansion of the children’s program room and a reconfiguration of the main floor to accommodate a more efficient flow, additional book stacks, and a quiet study room. The plan was designed after a series of community charrettes, and while the library will reopen March 19, the makeover is expected to be completed in May.

The project is being predominantly funded through private donations, including $1.3 million gifted to the library by Westhampton Beach resident Ann Skovek in her will. Skovek, who died June 2013, also donated $780,000 to the Westhampton War Memorial Ambulance Association, $392,000 to Bideawee, and $130,000 to the Westhampton Beach Historical Society.

Please check with the library regarding cancellations, and rescheduling and relocation of previously scheduled programs during this time.

desiree@indyeastend.com