WHY WE NEED TO EXPAND THE LIBRARY?

The Somers Public Library building is now 18 years old. Patrons over the years remember that the library was spacious, well lit and comfortable. It hasn’t changed in many respects, except it is no longer spacious – we are, as a point of fact, bursting at the seams. Patronage has increased, the collection has increased, (although offset by judicious “weeding” of some material) and we have added computer work stations, including some with access to all three public schools for assignments. The collections of videos, DVD’s and CD’s are technologies that did not exist 18 years ago, and require space. In short, the library is crowded and out of date. State building codes and computer technology  have changed in the last 18 years and we’ve taken all of this into account in planning an addition. This plan will also allow the library to remain open during most of the building period, which will eliminate many moving costs.

We are proposing an expansion project with three components:

- New construction to increase floor space

- Remodeling of the existing building to meet   the changing needs of the library

- Renovation of the roof, HVAC and other worn building systems that would need to be replaced even without expansion and have been estimated to cost $750,000

The projected total cost includes furnishings, carpeting, shelving, computers
- a complete library building.