Copyright Joliet, IL Patch
"Plainview has this reputation of having that warm and inviting feeling..." PLAINVIEW, NY — The Plainview-Old Bethpage Public Library underwent renovations to create a brighter, more energy-efficient space for the community. Director of POB Public Library Mary Ann Ferro said the library is a vital part of Plainview, and she hopes the community will embrace the renovations. “I’m hoping they see that it was worth it,” she said. “The library still has that warm, welcoming feeling. We didn’t want the static feeling, and we made sure it didn’t have that look. Plainview has this reputation of that warm and inviting feeling, and we want to make sure everyone feels welcome here.” The renovations began on Oct. 5, and they closed the doors for four days and then ran on an adjusted schedule– they reopened their usual business hours this Sunday. These upgrades are part of their indoor/outdoor energy-efficiency project, giving the library a refresh and providing a more welcoming and inviting space, she said. “The energy savings that we are going to be having, along with the boiler, will be tremendous,” she said. “Our electric bill was tremendous.” Previous grant reimbursements and cost savings over the years contributed financially to these renovations, Ferro said. Ferro said she is excited about the renovations and that the family center was a bit on the bare side before the upgrade. “We wanted to give it a refresh,” Ferro said. “It will be a refreshed and brightened space, so families will have a more welcoming and inviting space to take in and enjoy.” The boiler was from the 1960s and had asbestos. It broke this past winter, so Ferro said, “it needed to be replaced.” Ferro said the library will qualify for a NYS Construction Grant and PSEG grant funding as well they will get a significant rebate. This will help them with future renovations, although she said they are going to take a bit of a breather on renovations for now. “We have things that we are looking to fix in the future,” she said. “The auditorium’s audio-visual programming could use an update since it was created 20 years ago. We hope the grants can ease that cost.” The list of renovations is as follows: Enhanced Family Center Added 5 additional study rooms Replaced lights with LED fixtures inside and outside the building Replaced boiler Replaced the backup generator Replaced carpeting Restriped parking lot Added dictionary signs in the parking lot Reconfigured book drop In the process of adding additional lighting in the parking lot and the back of the building POB Public Library underwent other renovations in the past, including adding a cafe. They are still working on the finishing touches of the energy-efficient renovations.
