Senator Mayer & Assemblyman Buchwald Announce State Grants for the Harrison and North Castle Public Libraries

Today, State Senator Shelley B. Mayer and Assemblyman David Buchwald announced major library building improvement grants for the Harrison and North Castle Public Libraries totaling over $274,000 to make needed capital improvements to three library buildings. The funding comes from the 2019-20 State Aid for Library Construction Program, a program strongly supported by both Senator Mayer and Assemblyman Buchwald.
 
In North Castle, the North Castle Public Library located in Armonk will replace the building’s roof and install an elevator to improve access for all patrons. The North White Plains branch of the library will install an automatic entry door to make access easier for those with disabilities.
 
In Harrison, the funding will be used to replace the windows at the Richard E. Halperin Memorial Library Building with heavy-duty commercial grade windows to improve energy efficiency.
 
Senator Shelley B. Mayer said, “I am so pleased that the Harrison and North Castle Public Libraries will be receiving these important grants for capital improvements. Public libraries are essential community centers, centers of civic discourse, learning and other essential elements of our democracy. The pandemic has been tough, but our libraries rose to the occasion by moving their programming to virtual platforms to make available to the public. I am pleased to have strongly supported capital funding for local public libraries in this year’s state budget to make smart, energy efficient and accessibility improvements that save taxpayer dollars. Public libraries are the centerpieces of our communities, and I am committed to continuing to support these extraordinary community resources.”
 
Assemblyman David Buchwald said, “Throughout my time in the State Assembly, I’ve been pleased to support major building improvements at the great libraries that serve my constituents. The State financial resources provided to maintain and improve library buildings has helped these valuable institutions continue to evolve into true community centers.”
 
Scott Stopnik, North Castle Public Library Board President, said: “We are extremely appreciative of these grants as their procurement is consistent with our strategy to continue to meet and exceed the needs and expectations of our patrons and our community.”
 
Edith Martimucci, North Castle Public Library Director, said, “We’re very happy about the grant as the work is much needed to help us improve our services to the community. We’re also thrilled the funding enables us to install an elevator in Armonk that will be a welcome addition for many of our patrons.”
 
Galina Chernykh, Harrison Public Library Director, said, “The Harrison Public Library is the cornerstone of our community. The Library is an investment in our future and the future of our citizens. Remember, all successful investments require attention, time, and resources to remain valuable and to grow. The new windows will be energy efficient, will alleviate leakage experience during heavy rains, costs of replacing parts of the collection due to sun damage, and have protection screens, allowing us to open windows on nice days.” 
 
More than 52% of the over 1,000 public library buildings in communities across New York are over 60 years old.

This capital grant is from $34 million in capital funds for public library construction and broadband infrastructure projects provided in the 2019-2020 State Budget.