Library building committee welcomes public

The Island Now

The Great Neck Library is producing a series of bookmarks to keep the public informed about the proposed renovation of the main library. What follows is the text for bookmarks No. 1 and No. 2, as well as the library’s Building Advisory Committee’s Vision Statement, which appears on the back of bookmarks one and two. Look for the entire series of bookmarks as they become available at all Great Neck Library locations.

Introducing the Great Neck Library Building Advisory Committee: The Building Advisory Committee was formed to create consensus among our diverse neighborhoods concerning the renovation of our main library; patrons, community volunteer professionals, library staff and board of trustees have been meeting since January 2012 to develop a way forward for our library. 

The BAC Vision Statement was developed as a group. We welcome and encourage public attendance and input at our BAC meetings. Please check the library website for the latest schedule. Be current, stay informed, sign up for e-mail updates at any library service desk or use the “Sign-Up Here” for Library Updates at: www.greatnecklibrary.org. Watch for future bookmark updates. Collect them all! Bookmark No. 1 (April 2013)

Great Neck Library Building Advisory Committee Vision Statement: The Great Neck Library System should function as an intellectual and educational resource for the community. As a truly democratic institution, it opens its doors to all people of all ages, backgrounds and socio-economic levels. A library system that is flexible, welcoming and comfortable should also be imaginative in its use of space. While it offers the latest in technology it must provide pathways to intellectual and literary treasures and the history of its community and the world beyond. It should provide a design that is environmentally sustainable and sensitive and embraces and coexists peacefully within its environment. Great Neck Library, 159 Bayview Ave., Great Neck, NY 11023, 516-466-8055. Please contact Laura Weir, Interim Library Director, with any questions by phone or email to: lweir@greatnecklibrary.org.

Building Advisory Committee Update: The BAC came to consensus on a plan for the following: *Maintaining the existing building footprint. *Maintaining library service during renovation. *Using the branches during renovation.

*Balancing aesthetics and needs with a target budget of $10 million. During the summer of 2012, a sub-committee of the BAC met with our former architect and came to consensus about: 

* A concept plan and space allocations. * Our program and collection needs. * Upgrade all internal systems and meet Americans with Disabilities Act mandates. The entire BAC analyzed and revised these space allocations which were then adopted by the Library Board of Trustees. The BAC was empowered to begin to develop a process for meeting architecture firms. We welcome and encourage public attendance at our BAC meetings. Please check the library website for the latest schedule. Be current, stay informed, sign up for email updates at any library service desk or use the “Sign-Up Here” for Library Updates at: www.greatnecklibrary.org. Bookmark No. 2 (June 2013)

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