Brewster Library, Celebrating Expansion, Receives $8K State Grant

BREWSTER, NY — The Brewster Public Library, about to celebrate the completion of its massive construction project with a grand ribbon-cutting ceremony, has been awarded a grant under a state program for library construction and technology improvements.

The library has actually been open since Aug. 23, library Director Gina Loprinzo told Patch. "It's great to see the initial reaction when people come in for the first time — that 'wow' factor."

Celebrate the completion of the construction project at 11 a.m. Saturday.

The library will receive $8,102 for audiovisual equipment and infrastructure, millwork cabinets, and amenities for the new Program Room.

The library's multi-year renovation and expansion project doubled the size of the library, renovated the interior of the original portion, updated electrical and HVAC systems, added a new community room and private study rooms, plus kept the upper level's David D. Bruen Reading Room and of course respecting the historic facade.

SEE ALSO: Progress In Brewster Library Renovations: VIDEO

Brewster is one of five public libraries in the 40th State Senate District that will receive more than $170,000 in aid from the $14 million state program, said New York Senator Pete Harckham.

“Local libraries are essential in the process of providing equal access to knowledge, and they are even more important in a digital world,” Harckham said. “That is why I am committed to helping them in every way I can to maintain and upgrade their infrastructure and technology. It’s not only about books, libraries offer so much to our communities. ”

The other libraries are Pawling, Hendrick Hudson, Somers, and the Field Library in Peekskill.

The 40th Senate District includes Peekskill, Cortlandt, Lewisboro, Mount Pleasant, New Castle, North Salem, Pound Ridge, Somers, Yorktown, Mount Kisco, Briarcliff Manor, Buchanan, Croton-on-Hudson, Pleasantville and Sleepy Hollow in Westchester County; Carmel, Patterson, Southeast and Brewster in Putnam County; and Beekman and Pawling in Dutchess County.