Nanuet Library hosts bond vote October 16

On October 16th from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., the Nanuet Library will be hold   a public vote on a bond of $12.9 million intended to fund infrastructure upgrades for the aging building. If approved by residents of the Nanuet School District, the bond would enable the library to enact much needed repairs as well as expand their facilities and provide more resources for the community.  

“When we’re tying new equipment into the old plumbing and electrical, we run into all kinds of problems because the infrastructure that’s currently in the building is too old to support the new stuff”, stated Jessica Bowen Ossa, Library Director at Nanuet Public Library. She shared that the last updates made to the building were between 1987 to 1990, “…so even the modern part of the building was designed before everyone was so dependent on the Internet…the world has just completely changed and the way people use libraries has completely changed”.

According to Bowen Ossa, the Nanuet Public Library receives over 65,000 visits a year, with over 14,000 attendees at programming and events, 20,000 inquiries made to staff and over 150,000 items checked out annually. The population of Nanuet has increased by almost 7,000 since 1990, and the updates from over thirty years ago are not able to hold up to modern expectations of amenities, energy efficiency, fire safety and accessibility. 

If approved, the new funding will not only upgrade the library’s infrastructure but also help to protect the resources the library provides. As the facility has aged, leaks have become a pressing issue. The ceiling resembles a gap-toothed smile, with even the tiles left holding on showing signs of significant water damage. The Head of Children’s Services Lauren Banks stated that they have “…lost hundreds of books” due to water damage, and have even been forced to close the library due to power outages and leaks. This type of shutdown means no after school programming for the large number of children that spend time in the library, leaving many parents at a loss. 

Standing within walking distance of all four of Nanuet’s public school buildings, the library receives many young visitors after the last bell rings. Nanuet’s Teen Librarian Sam Sambrato states that currently, there is no room for the highschoolers to study and chat with each other after school. 

“Libraries have evolved more into a community center than just a place to study, but we can’t accommodate that feature for the kids because there’s only so much space,” said Sambrato, gesturing to the one open air booth and table designated for the teens. The fact that there is no door to close means holding programs or completing homework is a near impossible task to accomplish without disturbing other patrons.

If approved, a portion of the bond would be used to implement more usable space for the wide variety of programming taking place in the library, not only for the teens but for all patrons. This would include a room to hold teenage programs, as well as study pods for people who need to take an online exam, an interview or Zoom meetings. The library would also establish tutor rooms for four to six people, and a 10 person conference room. Currently, the only space available for groups is a 140 person meeting room that is split up between the various programs, leading to difficulties in booking.

 Bowen Ossa states that she has seen an increased desire for connection, community, and meeting spaces and hopes to meet this increased desire through the improvements made through the bond. “People really want this to be their third space, and we just don’t have the room the way it’s laid out [now]”, stated Bowen Ossa. 

Another highly utilized aspect of the library is the early childhood classes. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, “The first 3 years of life is the most intensive period for speech and language development. Reading, talking, and singing regularly with young children from birth stimulates brain development. This stimulation in turn builds language, literacy, and a child’s motivation to learn”. The free enrichment programs at Nanuet Library make this essential early education more accessible to all. 

That accessibility is currently hindered by the lack of space available in the library. Banks referenced a recent music class that had 50 people show up for a room that is coded to fit only 29. With the bond, the library would be able to expand that room to fit 60. Banks argued that the library is not only an affordable way to expose young children to socialization and learning, but it’s about “…making that little village…that people always say is missing. Where else are you going to meet other parents?”. With childcare costs at a crisis level not just in Rockland but around the country, her point rings true with parents looking for ways to engage with their children and with other parents without breaking the bank.

As the referendum draws near, Bowen Ossa and other advocates for the library have stressed that the building is now at a state where repairs are no longer possible and replacement is the only option. Bowen Ossa also stated that after consulting with potential contractors, spreading out these projects over a longer period of time would be 30% to 35% more expensive than completing the construction in the 12-15 months proposed by the Nanuet Public Library. 

The bond would mean an increase in resident’s taxes for the next fifteen years. The estimated cost for the bond would average around $200 a year for taxpayers, but is contingent on the full market value of the home. “It’s an investment in the infrastructure, in the resources of the community – just like you spend money on schools even if you don’t have kids in school. It’s good for your property value to have a good school district and a good life”, states Bowen Ossa. She encourages tax payers to reach out to her at 845-623-4281 ext. 116 or jbowen@rcls.org with their name and address for specific annual costs, as well as with any questions residents may have regarding the bond.