North Bellmore Library bond vote approaches

Click the renderings to view larger versions of the images.

Patrons of the North Bellmore Public Library will head to the polls on Tuesday to vote on a proposed $8.9 million bond to revamp the building, which officials said is out of space and out of date.

The renovation will be on voters’ ballots for the North Bellmore School District election on May 19, which will be held at Newbridge Road Elementary School from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The library was built at 1551 Newbridge Road in 1962, and the only major renovation it has undergone — in the 1980s — included the addition of the community room and second-floor staff offices. Library Director Tom Bazzicalupo, who has worked at the library for 24 years, said discussions about the renovation between library staff members and board trustees quickly evolved into more involved planning when they realized nearly every department had outgrown its space.

Ray Beeler, an architect from Gallin Beeler Design Studio, heard many concerns in his meetings with the staff, including:

• The children’s department needs an activity room for programs.
• The community room has to be reserved months in advance because it is currently the only large space available for children, teenagers, adults and community organizations to meet.
• There is no young adult room.
• DVDs and periodicals are scattered around the library wherever they fit.