Community Breaks Ground on Brand New Library
It’s a big step in the village of Albion, as community leaders broke ground on a new library Wednesday. As YNN’s Kate McGowan reports, the current library is more than 100 years old, and many say a new and improved facility is necessary.
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ALBION, N.Y. — It may be just an empty lot now, but by next spring, a brand new library will occupy this space.
“It’s a delight that the library is going to be here for us to enjoy," said Richard Csizmar.
The Albion community broke ground on the project Wednesday. Many village residents came out to celebrate, and said it's a step in the right direction.
"This lot was empty and it was a shame, so it's good we're going to have something new in here,” said Cassie Langdon from Albion.
Swan Library sits just two blocks away from the new library site, and is over a century old. The library’s director said this construction project marks the beginning of a new era.
“For us to have a new library means we will probably spend the next 100 years in the new library,” said Swan Library Director, Susan Rudnicky.
The library will be more than 14,000 square feet and all one level. Library officials said unlike the current library, the new one will have a parking lot, and be environmentally friendly.
“For a building that's double the size of the building we are in now, it will cost no more to heat and cool it than the building we are presently in. It’s a wonderful, wonderful thing," said Rudnicky.
Donations and a special library budget have helped fund the $3.1 million project, but money is still needed. A capital campaign is asking the community to raise roughly $990,000.
Albion’s mayor said taxes are expected to go up slightly.
“It should be a rather insignificant hit on the taxpayers,” said Albion mayor Dean Theodorakos.
Ideas have already circulated about what will happen to the old library. Some are working to turn it into a local history museum.
Whatever the future holds, community members said the groundbreaking brings a positive light to Albion.
"We've had some struggles in town over the weekend, so it's really beautiful to have a wonderful event that is looking so good for the future of Albion,” Csizmar said.