Mastics-Moriches-Shirley Community Library officials weigh facility options

Mastics-Moriches-Shirley Community Library officials say they will seek input to determine the best of two multimillion-dollar options for the future of their aging building: spend up to $10 million on a renovation, or more than $20 million to build a larger, energy-efficient facility.

Officials say adding urgency to a decision is the recent discovery of asbestos in the building, which has seen little improvement in 25 years.

Both options require a referendum vote and would be funded by property taxes in the library district. Library director Kerri Rosalia said on Monday she's open to other options.

"We really want feedback from the community to see what they want," Rosalia said, noting the library has some reserve funds, but not enough to completely pay for a renovation.

Nonairborne asbestos was discovered on the ceiling tiles in one section of the library building at 407 William Floyd Pkwy. in Shirley in September, when it hired a company to do routine testing before renovations. The library gets 1,000 visitors per day, library officials said.

Only the boiler and part of the roof have been replaced since the '90s, library officials said. The building was built without insulated walls. Replacements to the ceiling, lights, roof and computer wiring are needed. If the library opts for renovations, parts of the library would be temporarily closed and furniture would be placed in storage.

Library officials said Brookhaven Town has offered donated land at The Links at Shirley, a former golf course off William Floyd Parkway, to help build a new facility.

"At what point do you reach the point of diminishing returns?" Brookhaven Town Councilman Dan Panico, who represents the district, said Monday of the heavily used library.

He has opted to hear different opinions, instead of taking a stance on the issue: "I'm just listening."

The next community meeting will be Jan. 31 at William Floyd High School at 8:30 a.m.