Congressman Anthony D’Esposito secures federal funding for children’s room at Baldwin Public Library

The Baldwin Public Library will receive a new state-of-the-art children’s room after Congressman Anthony D’Esposito secured nearly $1.3 million in federal funds for the project, officials said last month.

The library project is part of Republican Congressman D’Esposito’s total of $15 million in Community Project Funding grants that he has obtained for the 4th Congressional District, which encompasses much of the Town of Hempstead, including Baldwin.

The library would receive $1.295 million for the children’s room, which Democratic Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand also helped support from the House and Senate Appropriations Committee.

Residents approved an $11.6 million referendum for library improvements that includes the children’s room at last year’s Baldwin School District’s budget vote, and the federal funding will help cover a portion of that.

The planned library improvements include redesigning the children’s room to enlarge the play area and allow more sunlight in, expanding the arts and crafts and teen rooms, creating a community space on the second floor and group rooms for studying or remote work.

“An excellent children’s room gives our youngest residents the best start they can get toward becoming successful adults,” Elizabeth Olesh, the library’s director, wrote in an email. “Our renovated space will include features that families have asked for, such as more natural light, a better story time room, and a larger play space.

“Beyond this, an excellent public library, including the best possible children’s room, is a benefit in any community and helps attract new residents,” she added. “We are grateful to Congressman D’Esposito as well as Senators Schumer and Gillibrand for this funding.”

Architectural plans have been submitted to the State’s Education Department and are awaiting approval, officials said.

The additional funding would also allow the library to expand the original scope of work, Olesh said.

In February, the library unveiled the “Calming Corner” in the Teen Zone after it received a $1,110 grant from the Nassau Library System. 

The space provides library patrons with beanbag chairs, a table that houses fidget spinners, a bonsai tree light, a glowing bear lantern, a Rubik’s Cube, and other gadgets to help those who want to de-stress.

In addition to the library improvements, as part of the $15 million in federal money for his district, D’Esposito has obtained funding to bolster local law enforcement training, support infrastructure development and improve educational resources.

“I am immensely proud to have been able to secure critical federal funds to benefit my neighbors in New York’s 4th Congressional District, and I look forward to seeing this infusion of resources benefit our community for years to come,” D’Esposito said in a statement. “From funding enhancements at area libraries, providing local law enforcement professionals with added tools, and equipping South Shore students with additional educational resources, I am pleased that these projects I have secured funding for will pay dividends long into the future.”

Nearby projects include an emergency operations center, police technology and equipment, both for Freeport, a transit-oriented development project in Island Park and police license plate readers in Rockville Centre.

Along with D’Esposito, Long Island’s Republican Reps. Andrew Garbarino of Bayport and Nick LaLota of Amityville have sought funds for projects within their respective congressional districts. Additionally, Sens. Schumer and Gillibrand, in the House and Senate Appropriations Committee, have asked for funding for more than 50 projects across Long Island. These efforts have resulted in nearly $87 million in federal funding, reflecting a concerted bipartisan endeavor to address various regional needs and priorities, they said.