Photo courtesy of Ann Parry.

This past Tuesday, a cold and rainy winter afternoon was the perfect day to stay home. Yet, there were many Merokians who weathered the elements to visit a warm and sunny place – the North Merrick Library, a perfect refuge from the gloominess of the day.

The library was filled with patrons – a mother and daughter leaning over the reference desk to ask for the librarian’s help; the teenage girl curled up in a bean bag chair reading a book; several toddlers skipping down the hallway on their way to the children’s room; a young boy holding a stack full of DVDs. 

Library usage is way up; circulation has increased two years in a row – up 5.7% in 2009 and then an additional 9% in 2010. There were 127,853 items circulated in 2010. Most patrons seem to enjoy fiction, followed by lifestyle, health and cookbooks. DVDS and Wii games are also heavily circulated.

“The building is here for people to use. This is one of North Merrick’s assets, a place to attend programs, meetings, enjoy the property,” said Tom Witt, North Merrick’s library director. “The library is a community center and the leading agency for socialization of [very] young children.”

It is for these very reasons that Mr. Witt  believes now is the best time to  renovate a deteriorating building by improving its infrastructure, reconfigure existing space and add a 3,200-square-foot community room.

The project is estimated to cost $6.75 million, of which 86% is for renovations. “The renovation will repair the older building and make the place look fresher and newer,” said  Mr. Witt.“The roof needs to be replaced. It is 55 years old and has been patched. The windows and HVAC system need to be replaced, too.”

The HVAC system will be state of the art; the windows will be insulated and on the roof solar panels will be installed to help cut future energy costs. According to material provided by the library, that current utility costs savings are estimated at about $12,000 a year.

Interior work will reconfigure existing space, including a quiet study area in the reference section and an expanded children’s space. The current community room, at the back of the building will be made into several spaces including a  place for children’s programs as well as a Young Adult section.

And now for new construction. The new 3,200 square foot community room  will accommodate a stage, kitchen area and seating for 160 occupants. The hard construction costs for the library addition are $974,750, according to James Wojcik, president of Park East Construction. 

“We also hope to create park-like grounds [in the back and side of the library]. We will be putting some benches there and some shrubs and flowers. North Merrick could use a park,” added Mr. Witt. “You will be able to sit out there and use the WiFi.”

With a grant provided by county Legislator David Denenberg, the library will add other enhancements to the project including some picnic benches and inside the library armchair style seating with a pallet  for computers. (Additionally, money will be used for a document scanner and electronic readers that will be on loaned to library patrons.)

Can the public afford this?

“Construction costs are down,” explained Mr. Witt. “Interest rates are at an all-time low and we must address an aging building with a premeditated plan instead of trying to fix things when there is a crisis. In the end it is cheaper to address these issues in a comprehensive project than piece meal.”

The library will look to finance the project with funding from the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York  (DASNY), or with bonds. “If we go with bonds we would look to finance them over a 20-year period. It is cheaper in terms of real dollars than if we finance over a 25-year period,” said Mr. Witt.

There are 3,963 households in North Merrick, serving a population of 13,936 according to the 2000 census [figures from 2010 are not yet available]. 

A home assessed for $450,000 in North Merrick currently pays approximately $344 annually in library taxes, according to Noah Nadelson from Munistat Services Inc., a municipal finance advisory service. The cost of the renovation will be an additional $132 a year for that same house assessed at $450,000.

The library vote will take place on Monday, April 11, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the North Merrick Library. Mr. Witt, who is making presentations to many of the schools and civic organizations, will also conduct two public presentations at the library – Sunday, March 26, at 2 p.m. and then on Monday, April 4, at 7:30 p.m. Voter registration will also take place on April 4, from 3 to 7 p.m.

Additionally, Mr. Witt plans on posting a list of frequently asked questions on the North Merrick library’s website.

If the bond passes, construction could begin in the spring of 2012, with “minimal or no impact on providing services,” said Mr. Witt. He explained that because of the building’s shape, the work could  be done in sections.

“This has been a long time in coming,” said Mr. Witt.

By Laura Schofer

Laura Schofer, staff writer for L&M Publications, has been recognized with several awards for many of her feature pieces published in Bellmore and Merrick Life, The Citizen and The Leader.