By MIKE RUSSO
The library's Board of Trustees met on July 7, first among the board members and then later with a group of about 20 Baldwin teens to gather information and listen to
suggestions on what the young adults would like to see in an expanded section.
"The kids that come in here, and the kids that don't come in here, have no place to go," said Library Board President Tony Tarantino. "They sit out in front of Dunkin Donuts and 7/11, and that causes nothing but trouble."
Tarantino added that the facility still has to maintain its obligation and mission as a public library, but that the changing times — particularly in the areas of computer technology — require new ways of providing those services. "I'm not looking for a social event," Tarantino said, "but I believe that a social event can happen within a structured program."
The Teen Zone, currently about 1,000 square feet, is significantly smaller than the Adult and Childrens' departments. Library officials say there are often hour-long lines of teens waiting to use the computers and that they regularly sit on the floor in close proximity to one another when reading in one of four narrow book aisles.
Tarantino explained that the board is looking to explore one of two options: either expanding the Teen Zone north into the employee work area or relocating the Teen Zone entirely by moving the section to the second floor, which is currently being utilized as a storage area. Both locations are on the northeast corner of the building. The board president told the Herald that although planning for the project is still in the early stages, he doesn't anticipate having to ask the
community for money.
"I don't want to have to raise taxes for this project," Tarantino said of the proposed expansion. "We won't have to go to the public for money for a long, long time."
The library got a major facelift in the mid-1980's, when the community supported a bond project to merge the library with a neighboring bank in what is now the Childrens' Department. Officials say that the second floor storage area was intentionally left unfinished, as they realized that additional space may have been needed down the line. But the Teen Zone was not necessarily the area that officials thought would need the work.
"I don't think any of us anticipated the response from the teens coming to use the library," said Library Director Maria Sysak, referencing the prior renovations. "Teens are just as deserving of an attractive area as the children. They want their own spot. I wholeheartedly support reaching out to teens because they need more space."
During the Teen Input portion of the board meeting — at which suggestions were made by teens to the trustees — requests ranged from video games, additional seating, longer hours, quiet-study areas, music lessons and book signings. Some teens, like 17-year-old Melissa Ponce, said that the Teen Zone should appear more aesthetically geared toward their age, such as having colorful walls and decor. She also suggested developing a multi-cultural program through which teens could share their heritage with each other.
"We can bring in food from different cultures and international movies," Ponce suggested. "[The Teen Zone] is pretty good, but maybe if we get some of these ideas together it would make it better."
While specific programs and design for an expanded Teen Zone are unknown at this point, officials said they feel that expanding the department into either the storage area or the employees’ work area would be the most logical approach.
Just before adjourning the board meeting, the trustees unanimously approved the decision to seek interviews with architects to develop a "brick and mortar determination" of the proposed expansion areas. Based on the findings of the architect, officials said, they would have a better idea of both the cost and the logistics of the project. Officials added that they will also pursue the possibility of securing grants for the project, and that there will be additional community meetings for residents, including teens, to offer their opinions.
Comments about this story? MRusso@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 283.
