2017 Renovation

With the renovation of five rooms, 2017 has been a time of rejuvenation for the Unadilla Public Library.

In 2016, the Library was awarded a construction grant from the New York State Education Department, Division of Library Development. One component of the Grant was a 25% match requirement, which was fulfilled through Bullet Aid from the New York State Senate, and a grant from the Community Foundation of Unadilla.

The physical work of updating the adult nonfiction section (The Reading Room), the circulation area, the computer room, the adult fiction section, and the children’s room (affectionately known as Nana’s Room), began in February, 2017.

Three LG Inverter air conditioners, combined with thermal windows, which replaced leaky, rattling windows, have allowed for whisper-quiet, super energy-efficient cooling and heating. Carpets were pulled up, and laminate and engineered wood flooring was laid down. New ceilings were installed in three rooms, and light fixtures (with LED bulbs) in four.

The shelving in all five rooms was removed, and new bookcases were custom-constructed. For floor plan flexibility, bookcases in the middle of the the adult rooms are mobile. They were built on wheels so they can be rolled out when an event necessitates additional floor space. Vertical expansion was made possible by taller bookcases with increased space between shelves for collection storage and display. Walkways were widened for universal access, and comfy seating was added in two rooms.

In Nana’s Room, one wall of bookshelves was built with a gambrel roof to create the appearance of a barn, and gable roofs were built over two other bookcases to give the impression of houses.

All construction work for this project was done by Cohen and Frazier Builders. Unadilla Mayor, David Welch, and Steven Bachman, the Executive Director of the Four County Library System, contributed many hours of guidance and encouragement throughout the entire process.