The Schuylerville Public Library is getting a new pavilion that will provide much-needed space for meetings, programs and storage.
The state Education Department has awarded $119,850 in Public Library Construction Grant funds to the library as part of a program designed to assist libraries undertaking major construction and remodeling projects.
The library recently completed some renovations such as lighting upgrades, a 500-square-foot addition and projects to make its facility fully accessible.
Official said the future pavilion will be approximately 27×27 feet on the northwest side of the current library property and feature a covered area for picnic tables and public programming, as well as secure storage.
“We are thrilled to have received this grant. Library services are essential for the well-being of all of our patrons including children, teens, adults, and seniors. This project will also allow the library to serve more of the community’s needs with additional space for outdoor programming, which has been incredibly popular in the last few years. We appreciate all who made this project possible,” library board president Amy Carpenter said.
The $119,850 grant will be applied to the $159,800 anticipated cost of the project, with the library’s construction reserve funding the remainder.
Paul Mays, with Butler, Rowland & Mays Architects LLP in Ballston Spa designed the space, with the community’s goals of increased program and meeting space in mind.
A few years ago, the library hosted some community input sessions to zero in on what the 10,000 district residents want in their library, and overwhelmingly the answers were focused on more space.
The library plans to accept construction bids in late winter, once local approvals have been obtained.
The Southern Adirondack Library System made this grant available to member libraries and assisted in the grant-writing process.
The Schuylerville Public Library is in the Village of Schuylerville at 52 Ferry St. More information is available online at www.schuylervillelibrary.sals.edu.