Tuesday, August 04, 2009

Progress Report

The thermometer outside the library tells a wonderful story: we have reached our fundraising goal for the reconstruction project of the Children's Room! With the major gift of the Burchell bequest, the generous support of the village and the town, and donations from 658 local families, we've reached our target. This is a tremendous accomplishment, particularly in today's economy, and we are very grateful to all who made it possible.

We are working hard on the renovation. As with all building projects, we've encountered some obstacles, but in looking at those obstacles, we found that some of them presented new opportunities.

Costs of our early plan turned out to be too expensive, so we revised the drawings and chose more affordable materials. In doing so, we actually increased the total floor space we're adding. Now we will have an additional 1,000 square feet of usable space, thereby fulfilling one of our principle goals: a larger children's room.

Similarly, a switch to a different type of heating and air- conditioning system gained much-needed and long-desired ceiling height in the Village Center on the first floor. The new system will also provide greater energy efficiency. Plus, we're saving money by installing the new system now, with the ceiling open, rather than later, when an EPA mandate would require us to update the system.


All of this means, unfortunately, that we have had to push back our expected opening day for the new room; we now expect to open in the spring of 2010. We wish it could have been earlier. We will continue to provide children's activities in the main library and on the front lawn, and the staff will, as always, continue to provide first-rate services.

We appreciate the patience of the community. We know that when the room is open, all our patrons will enjoy a space that is large, bright and playful, as well as practical and up-to-date. We'll meet you in the toddlers' gazebo, or the puppet theater, or the new computer area for older children - in a Children's Room that is inviting to all!

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

artist recreation created


The crack Lxxxxnt Police Department lent the skills of its world renowned police artist, Oy Lee Pan Ting, to create an image of the recently demised Library. "It's so realistic. Just as if the building was still there," gushed Director Diane Cxxxy.

Monday, November 19, 2007

children's room burns down

The fundraising drive was canceled after a tragic fire leveled the former St. Augustines school.

Fundraising drive kicks off

Empty out your pockets! It's time to fork over the dough. By now Larchmont/Mamaroneck residents have received the beautiful brochure that contains the thrilling contribution form. We will be posting plans shortly.