Proposed Plans

Highlights of the New Saugerties Public Library

A dedicated story hour space within an expanded children’s room . . . an area just for teens with comfortable seating, an expanded collection and their own computer work stations . . . a comfortable setting where families can come together to learn, to read together and just to have fun;that and more is in store for Saugerties when the new public library is built.

The plans for the new library were developed by Paul Mays of Rowland Butler Mays Architects, LLP. If the voters pass the referendum on May 7th, the present Saugerties Public Library, one of the country’s original Carnegie libraries, will be renovated and to the right of the present building an addition of approximately 8,365 sq. ft. will be built on Washington Ave. Responding to community input to keep the library in the village, it has already purchased the two buildings next to it at 93 Washington Ave. and 3 Division St. in order to facilitate the expansion. The overall cost of the renovations will be $6.995 million. For a Saugerties home assessed at $200,000, the approximately taxpayer share will be $66 per year over the life of the 25 year bond.

The existing building is 4,797 square feet. The proposed addition will be approximately 8,365 sq. ft. When complete the new building will be approximately, 13, 162 sq. ft. and will be totally accessible for people using wheelchairs, walkers or canes or families with strollers.

On the Main Floor you’ll find:
• A new street-level entrance with an open, well-lit vestibule lobby which uses the walls as gallery space. An elevator will provide access to all levels of the addition and original building.
• A public meeting space that seats 90 and allows community activities when the library is closed.
• The library’s historic fireplace will be restored and used as a component of the new Periodicals Area, which will have a variety of seating options.
• An expanded Media Collection, including DVD¹s, CD¹s, Books-on-Tape, etc.
• 12 Public Access Computer stations as well as wi-fi access throughout for laptops.
• A secure local history room
• New and Popular collection displays of the latest titles as well as an expanded fiction and non-fiction collection.
• A variety of seating opportunities from comfortable seating amidst the stacks to larger reading areas with windows facing Washington Ave to table seating to study tables and carrels as well as a separate quiet study/tutoring room

On the Ground Floor, you’ll find:
• A public meeting space that seats 90 and allows community activities when the library is closed. This space will also includes a small kitchenette, and a pull-down projection screen, as well as A/V and data connections. When this space is in use after the library is closed, there will be access to restrooms.
• An expanded Children¹s Library which includes a dedicated story hour space as well as an area that accommodates adult seats and stroller parking.
• A Teen Area with collection space, computer stations, and seating options from study tables to soft seating.