Since February 2012, Library trustees and Building Advisory Committee members have been asked many questions about the Main Library renovation. The following is a list of many of these questions. If your question has not been asked and answered, please help us by sending an e-mail to: renovation@greatnecklibrary.org, attending a community meeting, and/or calling library acting director, Laura Weir at 516-466-8055, ext. 200.
Can I examine the concept drawings of the renovated library? The concept plans for the renovation are posted on the library website: www.greatnecklibrary.org. A printed information packet containing copies of the drawings is available at each Great Neck Library location. Please ask personnel at the reference desk or the branch head for a copy. The plans indicate areas of quiet and study. The young adult area will be expanded and identified. This will provide for expanded programming, books, materials and assistance.
How big will our Main Library be? The Main Library will not grow larger than its existing foot print. This means that the outside of the building will look the same and be the same size. Our architects have garnered approximately 1,200 sq. ft. of additional internal space by removing unnecessary corridors, walls and partitions. This new 21st century design will create more flexible space that will allow us to easily respond to future changes in material formats and technology.
Do we need to have so much infrastructure repair? Almost half our estimated budget is for new infrastructure – lighting, heating, cooling, cabling, electronic service, elevator, windows, removal of asbestos, updated restrooms and a new roof. These elements must be replaced because each has met, or is about to meet the end of its functional life. Today’s building systems are more energy efficient and ecologically friendlier than those that were used at the time of our original construction in 1970. Changing these internal systems will help to provide green elements: using environmentally friendly, non-allergic paint, flooring and carpeting, and reduce our operating costs by using new products such as LED lighting and more efficient power options to bring our library into the 21st century.
Why is the Children’s Room being expanded and moved? The Children’s Room is projected to move to the ground floor. This decision is based on feedback from staff, residents and trustees. There will be a lower level entrance, check-out desk and room for strollers. Parents with children will not have to cross two lanes of busy traffic providing greater safety for our young patrons and their adults. The change in location allows for almost doubling of the existing space. Additional benefits of the new Children’s Room: More in-room programming using the enlarged story area, materials in all formats can be kept where the children are located, a dedicated toilet area within the Children’s Room, the outside is accessible for programs, reading and watching our pond, greater outside light, children will have better support in acquiring life-long learning and reading skills and an enhanced ability to interact socially, adults will have more and better room to work with their children, and shelves will be lower and the room will be ADA-compliant.
What about Levels? Using feedback from the Levels staff and students, Levels will remain where it is. The space will remain the same and it will get a face lift and be made ADA-compliant. There will be additional adjacent areas for meetings and privacy.
Why will the library be closed? Will I have services and programs? The renovation of the library is projected to be a 10 to 12 month period. This temporary closing during the renovation is being done to save a great deal of money and provide safety for our patrons and staff. There is a relocation committee that is considering every option to maintain usable, affordable space for many of our well attended and well received programs. Our three branches will be able to accommodate your requests and offer support. Staff will be available to answer your questions and assist you. Our catalog and databases will be available online and in the branches. These branches should provide easy access for pick up and drop off of books and materials.
What is the Relocation Committee? This committee is comprised of residents, staff and trustees. It is discussing the placement of our technology center, programs and services for adults, children, and young adults and of course, Levels. Less visible is the need for storage and retrieval. The chair is Francine Ferrante-Krupski. If you have suggestions or concerns, please address all questions to her through Laura Weir, our interim director, by e-mail to renovation@greatnecklibrary.org.
Are we employing specialists to advise and protect us? In order to get the best information and protection, the board of trustees and the Building Advisory Committee has used a public and lengthy process to hire an architect, owner’s representative, real estate attorney and a bond counsel/financial advisor. These professionals, working on our behalf, have been, and will be, available at public meetings. They are ready to guide and protect the completion of the renovation within budget and time frame. They have already provided us with budget estimates so that our future repayments of the bond are as low as possible.
Why are we doing this now? Our building has reached the end of its efficient and effective life. The internal elements have completed their lives. The market conditions are such that we do not have runaway inflation and there are very low interest rates for our bond. Our bonding is a building loan similar to one you might take on for a renovation to your home or apartment. It has to be repaid and has an interest rate attached to the acquisition of money. The cost of the bond relies heavily on our public rating, which is like an individual credit rating report. The Town of North Hempstead has been very helpful and cooperative in assisting in the commencement of this project.
What is the cost? The board of trustees is seeking approval on a $10.4 million bond. We are consulting with our special bond counsel who will advise us about several bonding agencies. Please call the library business manager, Neil Zitofsky, at (516) 466-8055, ext. 229 with any questions regarding the bonding process.
What can I do to be informed and participate in the process? Join a committee, collect all the renovation bookmarks, attend a public meeting, make suggestions at renovation@greatnecklibrary.org, sign up for e-mail updates by using the “Be Informed!” link on the library website or ask library staff for assistance, call Laura Weir at (516) 466-8055, ext. 200 with questions, remember to vote and bring a friend.
When and where can I vote? A public referendum vote, open to all registered Great Neck School District residents is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 19 from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. If you live north of the LIRR Station vote at: Baker Hill Elementary School,
69 Baker Hill Road, Great Neck, NY 11023. If you live south of the LIRR Station vote at: Great Neck South High School (in the west gym), 341 Lakeville Road (at the LIE South Service Road),
Great Neck, NY 11020.
Help us to maintain your Great Neck Library as a place for lifelong learning.
