Community curiosity and laborers‚ commitment to get the job done on time have moved the Babylon Public Library expansion project along on schedule, according to library director Robert Lusak. Even in the midst of this past winter's snow and ice storms, construction continued, and that construction hasn't yet caused any interruptions in library services. Lusak says the library is planning for a year-end opening of the addition.

"The plan is to move staff in the current building into the new building in mid-June, including the circulation desk and the children's department," said Lusak. These departments will be temporarily located in the new building, as the existing structure undergoes renovation and reconfiguration.

The current circulation desk and lobby area will become the new children's section, and the existing community activity room will become the children’s activity room complete with a sink and cabinets and a private unisex children’s bathroom. "We want the children‚s section to stand out," said Lusak. "We’re looking for a theme for our children’s department and welcome ideas from community members for murals or carvings."

Lusak reports that the parking lot, now located in the southern end of what was once Astoria Federal Savings Bank property, is now complete and should be open to the public in late spring. A walkway will direct patrons to the new entrance located in the area of the old parking lot.

The building’s front area on S. Carll Avenue will house a courtyard. Community members will be able to memorialize loved ones in this area through a "Buy a Brick Program" which the library plans to initiate in the summertime.

Gables now adorning the roofline of the addition are a stark contrast to the flat roofline of the existing building. But that will all change, says Lusak. All roofing, siding, and window casings will become consistent and the old structure will have a roofline that matches the new building, including a gable over the current entrance to complement the new structure.

Babylon Village voters approved the $5.1 million expansion project in 2002. Construction began last September.

"This project has exceeded the board's expectations," said Peter DeNigris, president of the library’s board of trustees. "For the money that the community authorized, we’re getting a big bang for our dollar. The exterior looks terrific, and the interior will offer us many options for years to come."