A glimpse into the future Publication The Suffolk Times Date August 14, 2008 Section(s)
Main Page Byline By Erin Schultz
Patrons like Southold resident Mary Jane Purcell worked at Southold Free Library on Main Road
back in 1982, before its first expansion in 1991. It was cramped, but she said she made the best of
it by putting on some soft music and brewing a pot of coffee. Patrons liked the coffee -- and
eventually got used to the music.
"Everything works if you introduce it a little at a time," she said.
That's exactly how the library board has introduced to the community its proposed second
expansion, a sophisticated design in the spirit of Frank Lloyd Wright, with three tiers spilling naturally
from the original building's east side. Complete with a glass roof and midsection, it is modern in
function while keeping true to George Skidmore's historic 1891 Romanesque structure.
According to library board president David Fujita, the estimated cost of the project is $6.5 to $7.5
million. That's $115 to $135 per taxpayer over 20 years. That's the estimate without including
additional fundraisers, and it's about the same as the cost of a full tank of gas for an Escalade truck.
Ms. Purcell was very happy to hear this. She and other Southold residents gathered Thursday, July
31, for a second expansion informational meeting at the library. Architects Gary Jacquemin and
Robert Stromski of Rocky Point-based Searles and Stromski Associates were on hand to explain
their intentions and inspirations. Mr. Jacquemin began his PowerPoint presentation with a picture of
a seashell.
"This is what the library will look like," he said, drawing laughter from the crowd.
Mr. Jacquemin said he hopes the building will function "not in a decorative way, but in a performance
way," just like the seashell. He said he drew from classical designs like Carnegie Hall (built the
same year as the original Skidmore building) while mixing in modern elements similar to the Ellis
Island Immigration Museum restoration.
All the various elements of a modern library, he explained -- book stacks, book storage, quiet
reading areas, computer terminals and separate young-adult and children's areas -- will radiate
naturally from a central location, the circulation desk. Natural light filtered through the central
glass-enclosed area will also produce electricity, saving on long-term energy costs. Patrons will be
able to soak up some real sun on two rooftop green spaces. A large meeting room, available even
when the library is closed, and much-needed expanded parking are all included in the meticulous
plan, though the architects were overly modest in their presentation.
"We don't hope to win any awards for this," Mr. Jacquemin said.
Members of the audience disagreed. The reaction was overwhelmingly positive. Miriam Lastoria
was thrilled.
"I just couldn't imagine this plan," said the 20-year resident of Southold and frequent library-goer. "It's
super. I wish we could have it tomorrow."
One audience member asked if the board members ever considered bringing in a vendor like
Starbucks to defer some of the cost, but library director Caroline MacArthur said that "commercial
retail space and public library space don't commingle" and that a vendor will detract from the
library's original purpose -- books.
Board members and long-term community planners have taken their time introducing the expansion
little by little -- from purchasing adjacent land with private donations years ago, to the studied
presentation of last week -- before solidifying any sort of architectural plans. Ms. MacArthur wants
this bond to pass next spring.
"We had a plan to inform the community as much as possible," she said.
Ms. MacArthur said she plans to take the presentation "on the road" this fall for senior groups, the
Chamber of Commerce and other community networks. She also plans to display architectural
renderings of the plan in the library.
If the bond passes, construction will begin in the spring of 2010. Library hours and services will
remain uninterrupted during construction, according to Mr. Jacquemin.
For more information, visit http://sohd.suffolk.lib.ny.us/.
eschultz@timesreview.com
Main Page Byline By Erin Schultz
Patrons like Southold resident Mary Jane Purcell worked at Southold Free Library on Main Road
back in 1982, before its first expansion in 1991. It was cramped, but she said she made the best of
it by putting on some soft music and brewing a pot of coffee. Patrons liked the coffee -- and
eventually got used to the music.
"Everything works if you introduce it a little at a time," she said.
That's exactly how the library board has introduced to the community its proposed second
expansion, a sophisticated design in the spirit of Frank Lloyd Wright, with three tiers spilling naturally
from the original building's east side. Complete with a glass roof and midsection, it is modern in
function while keeping true to George Skidmore's historic 1891 Romanesque structure.
According to library board president David Fujita, the estimated cost of the project is $6.5 to $7.5
million. That's $115 to $135 per taxpayer over 20 years. That's the estimate without including
additional fundraisers, and it's about the same as the cost of a full tank of gas for an Escalade truck.
Ms. Purcell was very happy to hear this. She and other Southold residents gathered Thursday, July
31, for a second expansion informational meeting at the library. Architects Gary Jacquemin and
Robert Stromski of Rocky Point-based Searles and Stromski Associates were on hand to explain
their intentions and inspirations. Mr. Jacquemin began his PowerPoint presentation with a picture of
a seashell.
"This is what the library will look like," he said, drawing laughter from the crowd.
Mr. Jacquemin said he hopes the building will function "not in a decorative way, but in a performance
way," just like the seashell. He said he drew from classical designs like Carnegie Hall (built the
same year as the original Skidmore building) while mixing in modern elements similar to the Ellis
Island Immigration Museum restoration.
All the various elements of a modern library, he explained -- book stacks, book storage, quiet
reading areas, computer terminals and separate young-adult and children's areas -- will radiate
naturally from a central location, the circulation desk. Natural light filtered through the central
glass-enclosed area will also produce electricity, saving on long-term energy costs. Patrons will be
able to soak up some real sun on two rooftop green spaces. A large meeting room, available even
when the library is closed, and much-needed expanded parking are all included in the meticulous
plan, though the architects were overly modest in their presentation.
"We don't hope to win any awards for this," Mr. Jacquemin said.
Members of the audience disagreed. The reaction was overwhelmingly positive. Miriam Lastoria
was thrilled.
"I just couldn't imagine this plan," said the 20-year resident of Southold and frequent library-goer. "It's
super. I wish we could have it tomorrow."
One audience member asked if the board members ever considered bringing in a vendor like
Starbucks to defer some of the cost, but library director Caroline MacArthur said that "commercial
retail space and public library space don't commingle" and that a vendor will detract from the
library's original purpose -- books.
Board members and long-term community planners have taken their time introducing the expansion
little by little -- from purchasing adjacent land with private donations years ago, to the studied
presentation of last week -- before solidifying any sort of architectural plans. Ms. MacArthur wants
this bond to pass next spring.
"We had a plan to inform the community as much as possible," she said.
Ms. MacArthur said she plans to take the presentation "on the road" this fall for senior groups, the
Chamber of Commerce and other community networks. She also plans to display architectural
renderings of the plan in the library.
If the bond passes, construction will begin in the spring of 2010. Library hours and services will
remain uninterrupted during construction, according to Mr. Jacquemin.
For more information, visit http://sohd.suffolk.lib.ny.us/.
eschultz@timesreview.com
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