Smallest library in Sullivan no more

New Manor branch for LM-R Library

By Rachel Zuckerman | Manor Ink

Livingston Manor, NY – Imagine walking into a light-filled reading room, grabbing a cup of coffee, browsing local history exhibits, recording a podcast, sitting with a friend, attending a community meeting or simply watching Main Street through floor-to-ceiling windows. Those are some of the things you will be able to do when plans for a new library building are realized in Livingston Manor.

Since the merging of the Roscoe and Livingston Manor libraries, there have been more opportunities for growing the community from the inside out. Because the two Rockland school districts merged, the libraries of both towns also merged, creating the Livingston Manor-Roscoe Library, which established each library as a branch of the larger entity. What’s next?

The need for more space

The library Board of Trustees has determined that the hamlet requires a new and modern library building that can better meet the needs of our community today and in the future. Trustees Terry Shultz and Amy Hines co-chair the Future Planning Task Force that is shepherding the project. When asked about it, Shultz explained, “The library trustees came to the conclusion that the Manor building was not serving our community well. It’s the smallest library in Sullivan County.” In fact, it is so small that Manor Ink cannot hold its weekly meetings there even though the newspaper is a signature program of the library.”

Why a new library though? Shultz and Hines explained. “Libraries today should be able to provide space for community groups to meet. There should be a safe and stimulating children’s area away from the front door. There should be quiet reading nooks, as well as a community living room for reading and conversation. There should be sufficient space for archiving and exhibiting local history. And, of course, there should be a fully equipped media room.”

The bigger space will help people realize what the town was missing out on as well. “We’re contemplating a 6,100 sq. ft. library – more than three times what we have now. Even so, that’s not big compared to many other libraries, but we think it’s right-sized for us,” said Shultz.

An energy-efficient facility

The new library is being designed with a goal of achieving net zero energy, meaning it is expected to produce as much renewable energy annually as it consumes. This is one of two key strategic decisions designed to control ongoing operating costs. The other is a single-story, open floor plan design, which requires no new staff to manage.

Because this new building will be situated in Livingston Manor, some people have asked how it will benefit the town of Roscoe. Hines explained that the new library and its resources will serve Roscoe residents whenever they choose. “The Roscoe library is very important to us, and we know how important it is for the people who use it. We will keep the Roscoe branch of the LM-R Library functioning beautifully as part of the merged library,” said Hines.

Library trustees have been working for a while now to bring this new era of the library branches to life. The LM-R Library conducted surveys, purchased land around the Manor branch and raised seed funding for land acquisition, legal costs and to hire architects. Now, they hope to share this concept with the community and invite input.

“We need a lot of support to bring this about,” said Hines. “Solid budget estimates are anticipated next spring.” She also clarified that local taxes will not be levied for the project and that the trustees will not approve building until all the money needed is raised from state and federal grants combined with donations from philanthropic individuals, foundations and companies. “We are just getting organized for this,” she concluded.