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The Rosendale Library in New York is set to expand, with two public information sessions scheduled to discuss the plans. These meetings will occur on Thursday (March 19) and Monday (March 23) at 5:30 p.m. at the library located at 264 Main St. The $1.7 million project aims to add 868 square feet to the library's front, facing Central Avenue, and renovate 1,133 square feet of the 1976 addition. The new space will include an activity room and a second restroom, allowing community groups to use the facilities even when the library is closed, which helps keep the budget down.
The expansion will also involve moving the basement stairwell to create a children's room, adding a lobby, insulating parts of the library, installing an energy-efficient heating system, and purchasing a backup generator. A referendum is expected later this year to secure a $1.5 million bond, enabling the project to receive $350,000 in state grant funding and qualify for additional funds through the state Library Construction program.
Construction is anticipated to last 18 months, with the historic 1876 church section remaining open to save costs on temporary relocation. The library board previously explored other locations but found none suitable for a modern library's needs. Chartered in 1958, the library has been in the former All Saints’ Chapel building, reporting 42,594 items borrowed and 383 programs for 4,764 attendees in 2024.
For more details, visit the Daily Freeman.