Oceanside library work progressing

The library has become the center of our community. We reach all areas.”

Christina Marra, library director

More features

New restrooms on all floors, including a special restroom for patrons with caretakers.

American Institute of Architects award-winning LED lighting throughout.

Solar panels, which will provide about 15 percent of the library’s energy needs.

Twice as much parking.

Enhanced active shooter security, and increased camera security.

Demonstration kitchen for cooking and nutrition classes, which are the most requested programs.

Green room set up for zoom calls, interviews and podcasting.

•After-hours access to program rooms.

A café.

Artists’ renderings released by the Oceanside Library are giving the public a better picture of the Vision 2020 project that will completely renovate the space on Davison Avenue.

The library broke ground on the project last, and the work is expected to be completed at the beginning of 2024. The makeover, library officials say, will bring the facility into the 21st century, with new security features, space dedicated to STEM study and a 165-seat theater. In addition, 15,000 square feet of space will be added.

Calls for renovations began when the staff evaluated the building’s issues — the roof, windows, HVAC system, restrooms and elevator all needed to be replaced. And from a modern standpoint, the 1997 design of the building was less than desirable. Rooms had poles in the middle of them, blind spots obstructed patrons’ views and shelves of children’s books were unreasonably high.

“The new building will allow us to enhance and expand programs that are already popular, like cooking and nutrition, arts and crafts, lectures, movies, etcetera,” said Assistant Director Tony Iovino. “It will also allow us the space and tools to create new programs and services. Every program room, for instance, will have a minimum of three cameras, so that programs and events can be livestreamed and recorded, more like a TV show.”

A $33,500,000 bond was approved in June 2020 for the project, which amounted to a tax increase of about $140 per year per household. No additional taxes will be levied for it.

Library staff then began the process of collecting data on employees’ and patrons’ needs. They conducted 26 community focus groups with over 300 participants, who reviewed the initial plans and offered suggestions on what they’d like to see.

Adapting to modern uses for the library, new spaces for Zoom calls, podcasting, and cooking classes will be available for public use. Overall, the facility will be more ADA-compliant and safer.

“The library has become the center of our community,” said Christina Marra, its director. “We reach all areas of our community, providing services and programming for all. The new library meets the needs we currently have and is designed to meet our needs for the next generation. We were able to modify the initial design to take into account new challenges, like online programming and Covid-related cleaning and air-flow measures.”