A new library is coming to Driving Park. The groundbreaking ceremony was held on July 30. After the ceremony, attendees continued to celebrate at the current branch while, viewing the plans and layout of the new site.
The $6 million project on the corner of Kelton and Livingston Avenues is the first of 10 projects in the library system’s $120 million building program. It calls for the relocation of six branch libraries and renovations and expansion of four others, including the Main Library downtown.
Library Executive Director Pat Losinski thanked Mr. James A. Johnson, President of the Driving Park Civic Association for consistently and persistently inviting him to coffee for the past 10 years and never missing an occasion to request the new library. He said he is looking forward to more coffee and great conversations sans library request.
In response to feedback from Driving Park residents, the new 15,334-square-foot branch will have three conference rooms to accommodate up to 120 people instead of the current 16. Areas designated for children and teens will more than triple and double in size respectively, and the new building will have 47 public computers compared to 30 at the current library. The grand opening is scheduled for Spring 2014.