44°
PORT CHESTER, N.Y. - The Port Chester-Rye Brook library, which has been closed for renovations since early December, reopened this week to the delight of many residents.
"The renovations are terrific," Library Director Robin Lettieri said. "It was a great, great renovation and we've heard only positive feedback from the community."
The renovation was the first major project for the library since they put an addition on the building in 1967. While the library completed work on the infrastructure in 2007, it was nothing compared to the grand renovation that was just done.
Included in the project's renovations were the creation of a teen room and a multipurpose meeting room, the addition of new furniture and carpets, the relocation of the children's room and the implementation of an elevator. The renovations did not add square footage to the original building.
Lettieri was especially pleased with the creation of the teen room, stating that before the renovation, the teens had to share a space with the younger children.
"Now the teens and tweens have their own space, somewhere where they can be informal," Lettieri said. "It's a really pretty room, and it's specifically just for them, and they appreciate that."
Port Chester Middle School students Jahmeek Simpson and Damain Cuveas agree with Lettieri's sentiment.
"It's really cool, and much better than what we had before," Simpson said.
Cuveas added that "the computers are really fast, and we really appreciative of all the changes."
The teen room features six new computers, all new furniture and an extensive collection of teen and tween literature.
While the library informally reopened on Monday, Jan. 9, there will be a grand opening celebration from 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Feb. 4. The event features a puppet show for children, an origami workshop and a Revolutionary war presentation by library board member and Port Chester resident Paul Zaccagnino.
"It was a hard five weeks," Letteiri said. "It was a lot of physical labor but the staff worked hard, and it's nice to finally see the fruits of our labor."
"Like" us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Port Chester and receive free news updates.
