Nanuet, NY — The Nanuet Public Library is inviting community members to attend a critical presentation and discussion regarding the proposed renovation of its aging facility. This event will be held on Saturday, September 7, at 11:00 AM at the library, located at 149 Church Street. Those interested are encouraged to register in advance through the library’s website event page, located here.
The presentation, led by the library’s architect, Butler Rowland Mays Architects, LLP – will detail the current state of the library’s building and outline the proposed renovation plans, including associated costs.
Jessica Bowen Ossa, the Library Director, emphasized the importance of the renovation, stating that the current facility is no longer sufficient to meet the needs of the community. “On a weekly if not daily basis, our librarians are asked for rooms for a variety of uses—online exams, remote meetings, community groups like scouts, tutoring—and we just don’t have those spaces,” she explained.
The library, originally constructed between 1966 and 1969, with an addition completed in 1990 (well before the advent of Internet-enabled research computers), is not equipped for modern usage. “Our patrons are asking for the library to be their third place, the place to gather, have cultural, educational, social, and entertainment experiences; to have more rooms, more programs, and better technology,” Ossa added. Beyond the need for space, the building also faces significant infrastructure challenges, including outdated plumbing and electrical systems, a leaking roof, and a lack of fire safety measures.
The proposed renovation plan is the result of a years-long collaboration between the library staff, public library architects, and local safety officials. The project aims to address these critical issues while also expanding the library’s capacity to serve the community. The project is expected to be funded by a $12.9 million bond, which will be voted on by Nanuet Public Library District residents on October 16. The bond would translate to an estimated annual cost of $203 for the average household, based on a home valued at $500,000.
A second presentation of the renovation plans is scheduled to take place during the Nanuet School District Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, October 8, at 7:30 PM at Nanuet High School.
For more information on the renovation plans and to register for the presentation, residents can visit the library’s dedicated renovation page on their website.