Major expansion begins at Smithtown library

The Smithtown Special Library District broke ground Friday on a $6 million project to upgrade and expand its Smithtown branch.

This marks the third of the four libraries in the district that are undergoing massive renovations as part of an over all $21 million project.

"This moment truly belongs to the community," said Library Director Robert Lusak as he stood outside what was once the main door heading into the original 1912 library building.

Lusak held up a silver trowel used for the original library groundbreaking almost 100 years ago to symbolize to the past and future.

Construction at two other branches is already underway and is expected to be completed in the beginning of 2011. The Commack library is undergoing a major renovation, and a new library is being built in Nesconset at the site of the old Armory building.

Renovations at the Kings Park library will follow in 2011.

Suffolk Legis. John M. Kennedy Jr. and state Sen. John Flanagan were on hand for the ceremonial shovels-in-the-dirt moment, and both talked about the importance of libraries in communities.

"There is nothing greater, or more important, as an anchor than a library," Kennedy said. "The value of a library cannot be underestimated," Flanagan said.

The Smithtown expansion will incorporate 6,000 square feet of space, half of which will be used for a children's room. The other half will be used mostly for community rooms.

Kevin Verbesey of the Suffolk County Library System said that last year was the busiest for use of libraries on record, with 17 million items lent out to Suffolk residents -- squashing the myth, he asserts, that libraries have lost their relevancy.

"This is the heart of the community."