The New York State Education Department, Facilities Planning Division recently issued the Plainview-Old Bethpage library a review number for the planned expansion. The architectural and mechanical plans need to be reviewed by an engineer and approved before the construction can begin.

The library expansion consists of two additions - the family center will be expanded and a lecture/program facility will be added to the eastside of the building.

"They have a lot of projects to review and we don't know when we are going to hear from them," said Rhoda Orenstein, Plainview-Old Bethpage library director. "They have to look at safety issues. We are anxiously waiting and this is the hardest part. Hopefully it will be approved by the fall."

The community approved the expansion in a December 2001 vote and have been waiting for construction to begin. According to Orenstein, the community is really excited. "The vibes from local residents are good and the people really want it. They can't wait for the family center," said Orenstein.

Once approved, the construction phase will take approximately a year and a half and the library will remain open during the construction phase.

The expansion will double the size of the existing family center, which will be expanded to 25 feet to the west with a mezzanine. Also, more computers will be available for residents to access databases that are not available from homes and are needed for school assignments. Bookshelves are needed for special collections that are currently stored in the basement and not readily available to the public and those bookshelves will be added. Additional shelf space is also needed for Family Sharing books on timely topics such as divorce, drugs and death. The new mezzanine will give the library more room for books. Computers will also be added giving the children six computers and another computer room for research.

The new lecture program facility will have 240 permanent seats, a stage, two conference rooms for meetings and a gallery for exhibits. This new addition will allow the library to present more programs for adults and children as requested by the community. The new expansion provides additional meeting room space for local groups.

While waiting for the review process to be completed, the architect is currently writing bids and will be ready to proceed to the next step when the library receives final approval.

"Having patience seems to be a prerequisite for a building project," said Orenstein. "I ask everyone to continue to have visions of a groundbreaking ceremony."