The Ossining Public Library’s $30 million bond proposal to fund critical repairs and renovations to the 20-year-old building will be up for a public vote Tuesday, Sept. 16, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the library at 53 Croton Ave.
According to OPL, the average annual tax impact is expected to be $184, or $15.33 per month, for homeowners residing within the boundaries of the Ossining Union Free School District, which includes the village and town of Ossining and small portions of New Castle and Yorktown.
Among the highlights of the proposal:
- Repairing the retaining wall in the property’s northwest corner, which has shown signs of bulging, gaps, cracks and movement of the wall facing.
- Reconfiguring the parking lot to allow for more accessible routes into the building including new ADA parking spaces and a pedestrian walk on the upper level.
- Replacing the library’s HVAC equipment to improve comfort throughout the building and provide better reliability and reduced maintenance.
- Relocating the Teen Room to the lower level, allowing for a larger collection, more programming space and an environment more accommodating to noise and activity. This will also preserve the quieter area on the second floor.
- A larger lobby and a relocated front desk to provide more seating and activity space on the first floor.
- Relocating staff areas and redesigning the library’s workflow to accommodate the addition of six more private meeting and program spaces.
- Remodeling the restrooms to allow for easier cleaning and sanitation.
- Roof repairs.
The OPL sought recommendations from engineers and architects and surveyed library users, staff and community members to determine what would be included in the bond.
If approved, the first phase of the project would run from May 2026 to May 2027 for repairing the retaining wall, stormwater drainage work, and reconfiguration and repaving the parking lot.
Phase 2, from April 2027 to September 2028, would include installing the new HVAC system, roof repairs, health and safety improvements, relocation of Teen Room, expansion of front and back entries and the addition of meeting and program spaces
The library would stay open during the first part of the project in 2026 but may need to relocate in 2027 during the second phase. The project team is currently looking for alternative parking and temporary space.
Registered voters who reside in the Ossining school district are eligible to vote. For information about registration and absentee ballots, contact the Ossining school district clerk at 400 Executive Blvd., 2nd Floor, Ossining, weekdays between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., or call 914-941-7700.
About the library
- Chartered as The Sing Sing Public Library in 1893, the library began as a collection of 700 books in the superintendent’s office before finding a permanent home on Croton Avenue in 1914.
- 186,351 annual visits
- 7,401 attendance at free children’s literacy programs
- 2,727 attendance at free language learning programs
- 262 people receive free tax help annually
- 14-Time Winner Best Library Award, Westchester Magazine
Source: Ossining Public Library
