North Bellmore residents respond to library revamp

North Bellmore residents were given the chance to share their opinions and make suggestions for the public library’s renovation plan – and there will be more opportunities to come.

Patrons of the North Bellmore Public Library, at 1551 Newbridge Road, will head to the polls on May 19 to vote on a proposed $8.9 million bond to revamp the building that staffers said is out of space and out of date. The staff held three public hearings about the plan in March, and two more are scheduled for next week.

Tom Bazzicalupo, who has worked at the North Bellmore Public Library for 24 years, the past eight as its director, said discussion about a renovation between staff and the library board of trustees began with the idea of replacing carpeting and painting the walls.

After Ray Beeler, an architect from Gallin Beeler Design Studio, began speaking with staff members, however, it became clear that nearly every department has outgrown its space, Bazzicalupo said. That’s why Beeler, Bazzicalupo, consultant Judy Lockman, the library board and staff members decided that the building needed a 4,000-square-foot addition.

Beeler said the proposed addition, which would represent a 21 percent increase in usable library space, could best be described as a wrapper. Architects envision adding to the building at the front entrance and on every side except the one that faces Newbridge Road. They did not want to interfere with the firehouse across the street, they said.

While the library staff offered many important suggestions as to how to use the space, Beeler said he felt it was essential to make sure the new facility has all of the features that the North Bellmore community would like to see in their public library. He said the three March meetings were very helpful, in that respect.

“We were able to inform the public about the comprehensive planning process that went into the decision that an expansion was needed - not just a renovation of the existing space,” he said. “The public also heard about the improvements that an additional 4,000 square feet of space would yield. And I thought the suggestions so far have been fabulous and most have already been incorporated into the plans.”