The New and Improved Katonah Children’s Reading Room

The well-loved—and well-worn—children's room at the Katonah Village Library is getting even better thanks to the generosity of local donors Barbara and Donald Bady. 

During the month of September, a substantial donation from the Badys will be used to provide the children's room a makeover that includes a new color scheme, window treatments and shelves, and the installation of energy efficient lighting.

Their generosity was contagious. Other local entrepreneurs have since stepped forward to donate their services or provide deeply discounted rates on materials. 

According to Library Director Van Kozelka, 37 new lights—identical to those installed in the main floor during the 2008 renovations—are being installed in the children's room, providing significantly improved luminosity, and saving on energy costs. Results from a NYSERDA energy audit on the main floor revealed that once the children's room lights are updated (at which time the entire building will be converted) the library will gain an 11.6 percent savings on energy costs annually.

 "The library and trustees are so thankful to the Bady's for their generous support," said Kozelka.

The room will also be given an aesthetic makeover to make the space more inviting and easier to use.  Book categories will be designated by color. For example, the walls housing non-fiction books will be distinct in color from the fiction section so that young readers can easily find their books. 

Local interior designer and color specialist, Mary Ricci, donated her time and expertise to develop a new color palette for the room.  Prior to the renovation, the room was a little dull, said Ricci.  Although the original plan was to create a room filled with vibrant primary colors, Ricci felt that if the wall colors were too bright they would overpower the artwork on display for the children. 

"In the end we chose softer colors to allow the artwork to pop off of the walls," she said. 

Ricci also helped to update window treatments for the reading room, swapping out old vertical blinds with lighter window treatments that provide privacy and filter out distractions while allowing for sufficient light.  

Ricci wasn't the only local business owner to provide support to the library's project.  Berniker Decorators provided the deepest discounts possible on the window treatments.

While the children's room is receiving the majority of the attention, the original entrance to the Katonah Village Library is also getting a minor facelift. Restorations are being made to the portico and cupola and the entire entrance is getting a fresh coat of paint. 

Renovations are scheduled to be completed by September 20th. Stop in and check out the results yourself.