Message from the Library Board: Building the Future of Mattituck-Laurel Library Together
Vote Results
On Tuesday, June 17, 2025, the community voted on a bond referendum to fund the Library Renewal Project. The proposal outlined significant infrastructure repairs to the library, including the roof, HVAC system, and plumbing. It also included plans to refresh the building with additional public space, quiet study rooms, a dedicated teen area, and a completely redesigned layout with new furnishings throughout the building.
The results of the vote are as follows:
230 No – 157 Yes
Thank you to everyone who came out to vote.
Voting Information
Date: June 17, 2025
Time: 9 am - 7 pm
Location: Library Community Room
You must be registered to vote in Mattituck / Laurel to participate.
Absentee Ballots
If you are registered to vote but won't be able to make it to the Library on the date of the vote, you may submit an Absentee Ballot Application. Said application is available at the Library, at the Mattituck-Cutchogue Union Free School District Central Administration Offices and on this page in both English and Spanish.
Applications can be submitted to the District Clerk of the Mattituck-Cutchogue Union Free School District. The mailing address is 385 Depot Lane, Cutchogue NY 11935.
The District Clerk must receive the early mail or absentee ballot application at least seven (7) days before the date of the vote, if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or the day before the vote, if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter.
Past Messages from the Library Board
Community Meeting: October 1, 2024
Your Community Library’s Board of Trustees have been evaluating the effectiveness of our building use and the aging facility. To better align with the community’s needs and ensure we continue to serve effectively, the Board is proposing a renovation plan. A Community Meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 1st, at 6:30 p.m. to answer questions, gather feedback, and share the vision of the project. The Mattituck-Laurel Library is truly your community library, providing services for the enrichment and well-being of the community for over 120 years. This renovation aims to ensure that, 120 years from now, the residents of Mattituck and Laurel will have a library that continues to enhance community life for all.
Community Meeting: November 20, 2024
Join us as we embark on an exciting journey to enhance your Community Library! Following the initial Community Meeting on October 1st, where we discussed our renovation vision and gathered valuable feedback, we invite you to our Community Meeting Part II on Wednesday, November 20th, at 6:30 p.m. This gathering will provide an opportunity for a second Q&A session and a chance to review any updates made to our plans based on your input.
Open House: January 23, 2025
Be part of an exciting journey to enhance your Community Library! Join us for an open house on January 23rd from 4pm - 6pm in the Library’s circulation area. Renderings will be on display, the Director and Trustees will be present to discuss project details and answer questions. Light refreshments will be served.
Open House: February 26, 2025
Join us as we embark on an exciting journey to enhance your Community Library! ✨ Join us for an Open House on Wednesday, February 26th 4 PM - 6 PM in the Library’s circulation area.
- Renderings will be on display
- Meet the Director & Trustees to discuss project details and answer questions
- Light refreshments will be served
We look forward to seeing you there!
Project Objectives & Goals
Mission & Vision
Mission
To enrich the quality of life in our community.
To achieve this mission, the Mattituck-Laurel Library will:
- Respond to the needs and interests of the communities of Mattituck and Laurel.
- Provide a variety of cultural, educational, and recreational programs.
- Provide materials in a variety of formats, based on the changing needs of the communities of Mattituck and Laurel.
- Provide well maintained, barrier free, easy to use facilities.
- Promote the Library’s services and collections.
- Maintain and develop ties with community organizations and institutions.
- Ensure the effectiveness of the Board as a cohesive unit that reflects the communities it serves and responsibly governs the Library.
- Periodically review business and fiscal policies and provide adequate and stable funding.
- Periodically review personnel practices and procedures and ensure continuous staff development.
Vision
The Mattituck-Laurel Library enhances the quality of life for residents in the communities of Mattituck and Laurel. The Library is the center for information, educational enrichment, and recreation for all ages, providing materials, programs and services that reflect the changing needs of the community. Additionally, the Library provides community groups and organizations and convenient, safe and accessible meeting space.
The Library is committed to serving families with young children by providing developmentally appropriate programs, welcoming public spaces, and materials for very young children and their parents or caregivers. The Library is also committed to nurturing children to become lifelong library users.
The Mattituck-Laurel Library is a dynamic community center which keeps pace with the changing needs of the communities it serves. The Library is committed to pursuing building and grounds procedures and programs that conserve energy and are environmentally friendly.
The Library Renewal Project will focus on the opportunity to rehabilitate and improve the existing Library building to accommodate much-needed programmatic and service enhancement. The program will address significant space deficits and urgent improvements to infrastructure.
Project Goals
Library Renewal Project Goals
The $5.5m Library Renewal Project has five primary goals to address challenges while building upon the strengths and assets of our existing facility to create a 21st-century community Library that will welcome, serve, and inspire all patrons for generations to come. These goals are:
- Improve/Upgrade the Library – Accommodate more users and programs through increases in public spaces, use-specific spaces (i.e., Learning Lab), services, technological infrastructure, and collections for all age groups.
- Create a barrier-free community center library – Ensure that everyone is welcome, has access, and is equitably served. This will include design and lighting elements and accessibility accommodations.
- Improve the Functionality of the Library – Provide an improved user experience and service to patrons.
- Rehabilitate the existing Library building – Address issues of flexibility, sustainability, energy efficiency, infrastructure reliability, and resiliency.
- Replace our building’s aged systems – Replace the roof, HVAC and address plumbing issues.
Project Objectives by Goal
Project Objectives by Goal
To accomplish these goals, the Mattituck-Laurel Library will undertake the following objectives, listed here by goal:
- Improve/Upgrade the Library
- Update the interior layout of the library to better align with the current needs and usage of our community.
- Add a second large meeting space a mid-size meeting space and combine two small meeting spaces downstairs to one mid-size meeting space that will function as a Learning Lab.
- Reconfigure the Children’s Room space with an age-appropriate layout and design.
- Add a Teen Space that is responsive to the wants and needs of the Teens in our community.
- Increase in space that serves multiple functions and purposes.
- A space that is enclosed with a door and windows, providing teens with autonomy while still allowing for supervision.
- Increase the number and variety of technology-enabled meeting spaces to accommodate small, mid-size, and large groups.
- Provide WAP/Wi-Fi, power receptacles, and charging stations.
- Provide quiet reading and study areas/spaces.
- Quiet study rooms (4) on the main floor with 1-2 person occupancy.
- Increase library programs and community programs over a wide range of offerings on culture, civic engagement, the arts, history, technology, and other programs of interest to the community.
- Create a barrier-free library accessible to all
- Design for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance throughout the improved/expanded Library.
- Maximize the ease of access and use for all staff and patrons (from stroller parking to improved wayfinding signage to private spaces for nursing mothers and those with hearing impairments) throughout the Library.
- Modify the pitch of the front entryway to create a more accessible and welcoming entrance to the Library.
- Improve the Functionality of the Library
- Increase technology readiness throughout the library by improving access, capacity, capability, and adaptability.
- Develop a flexible design to meet current and anticipated future needs.
- Upgrade all systems for optimal performance, including:
- HVAC for better climate regulation and preservation of collections and materials.
- Lighting and Daylight Harvesting to be sustainable and energy efficient
- Achieve Silver or higher, LEED-Equivalent Certification and complete the Sustainable Libraries Initiative.
- Design for inspiration to promote increased patronage and design excellence that enables the Library to serve as a flagship facility for the Community.
- Rehabilitate the existing Library building
- Carry out exterior/building envelope repair/rehabilitation work including:
- Roof
- Brick Masonry and concrete surfaces
- Doors and Windows
- Wood Trim
- Renovate and reconfigure the entire interior of the existing Library to accommodate optimal placement and adjacency of the following Library Departments:
- Circulation
- Information Desk / Adult Reference
- Youth & Parenting Services
- Teen/Young Adult
- Adult
- Additional second-story floor space above the existing circulation desk area to house an additional mid-size meeting space, staff offices, the art gallery and more public space.
- Carry out exterior/building envelope repair/rehabilitation work including:
- Replace our building’s aged systems
- Replace the roof, which has reached the end of its useful life and has been leaking.
- Replace the HVAC, which has reached the end of its useful life and is not able to efficiently heat or cool the building.
- Resolve plumbing issues, including overflowing toilets and inadequate flushing performance.
Community Q&A
How did the Board arrive at the decision to renovate?
In October of 2022, the Board of Trustees received facility assessment by Sandpebble, a construction management firm. The assessment updated and expanded upon a previous facility assessment conducted in 2016. It focused on major areas including site elements, building shell and interior components, and mechanical and electrical systems.
In the summer of 2023, the Trustees initiated a community survey to gather feedback from community members and library users. This feedback aimed to enhance the current long-range plan and guide the Board in addressing the critical updates identified in the facility assessment. During this process, the idea of exploring a renovation emerged. Read the summary of valuable feedback received from community members.
Can we have input from high school students?
Absolutely! We welcome feedback from our students. Our YA Librarian, Marissa Timm has put together a survey to elicit feedback from teens that will assist us in creating a space that is reflective of our teens wants and needs. Access the survey.
Can we have more private study spaces?
The current plans include 4 new quiet study rooms & 10 seats in the adjacent area dedicated to quiet study. This is part of the reason the book stacks are laid out how they are, used to create a quieter space near the higher stacks on the north side of the Main Hall.
Will all workspaces have power?
Yes power hook ups will be included for personal device use.
Why is the teen space in the corner? Can it be moved downstairs? Can the teens be in the basement?
We are thrilled to offer our teens a larger, more exclusive space that better suits their needs. A great deal of thought went into selecting the ideal location for this area, and we’ve chosen a spot that balances both supervision and privacy. The new teen space is situated near the adult services area, allowing staff to keep an eye on them while still respecting their need for independence and personal space. The teens will have full access to the whole library including the new makerspace on the lower level and the public seating on that level.
Additionally the new teen space will nearly double in size, increasing from 262 square feet to 465 square feet, providing more room for activities and relaxation in a comfortable and secure environment.
Why is the director's office upstairs? Can it be in a more visible accessible place?
The Director’s office has been relocated to the second floor to free up more community space on the first floor. While the office is now on a higher level, the space remains open to the public and will continue to be highly visible with large windows. The Director will still be easily accessible and maintains an open-door policy, ensuring that staff and visitors can reach out as needed.
Can the childrens space be larger? Can the tweens be moved out of children’s
The Children’s space is currently functional and offers a good amount of room; however, it is in need of an upgrade. To better serve the needs of the children and families, the space requires a reconfiguration to enhance its layout and overall usability.
Where will everyone park if both rooms have programs running simultaneously?
Additional parking is available on the street or next door.
How many people can fit in the new community room?
The room is a 1,180 square foot room and as an example could comfortably fit over 75 people for a community meeting. We hope to host larger groups here as well as larger library programs like concerts.
How do we get more people to come to meetings?
We are actively working to expand our messaging outreach and will continue to do so throughout the process.
How much will the project cost and how will it be paid for?
Early estimation of cost is between $5 and $5.5 million, but this is a very preliminary estimate - more information will be forthcoming once the plans get closer to actualization. The Board is exploring financing options.
Are the current administration's tariffs being reflected in the overall budget?
The architect is including contingency within the budget.
Do we need more staff because of the increase in space after the renovation?
No, we will maintain the same staffing levels. The space is not expanding in a way that would require additional staff to cover public service desks.
Can’t we just use other available space in the community?
Public room reservations provide a clean, accessible and cost free space for our community to gather and organize events that align with the Library’s mission.
Are we aware that the church is building a new community room next door?
Yes, we are aware that the church plans to build a parish hall to be used for church events and faith formation.
Can we add a second floor over the entire building?
We explored the option of adding a second floor to the entire building but determined that it would not be cost-effective. While we currently have adequate square footage, it is not being used as efficiently as it could be.
How much square footage do we currently have and how much are we adding?
Existing lower level - 5,607 sf (proposed addition - 235 sf)
Existing first floor - 8,907 sf (proposed addition - 751 sf)
Proposed second floor addition - 2,142 sf
Is the proposed project a renovation or expansion?
The project is described as a renovation because its primary focus is on updating, modernizing, and improving the existing space, rather than merely expanding. While the addition of 235 sf on the lower level, 751 sf on the first floor, and, 2,142 sf into the existing circulation area does increase the overall square footage by about 20%, the core goal of the project is to enhance the functionality, flow and aesthetic of the current structure along with addressing the serious facility concerns.
Is there any funding being considered outside the bond?
Yes, the Board and the Director will be exploring construction grant funding, as well as fundraising through the sale of personalized bricks for a community walkway.
What is the bond term length?
The Board is exploring financing through a DASNY bond and are considering term lengths of 15, 20, 25 and 30 years.
Community population is decreasing, is a bigger space necessary?
It’s not so much about increasing the space, but rather renovating it to create a more effective library that better meets the current needs of our community while positioning us for future growth.
As the digital world grows is it necessary to create more space at the library?
Yes, the digital world is evolving, and the way patrons use our building has changed. We aim to create spaces that are both useful and meaningful to them. It’s essential that we reimagine the library to meet the needs of today, ensuring we remain effective and continue to play a vital role in our community's future.
Will there be a break in service while the library is renovated - how will this work?
We hope to continue library services in a scaled down capacity at an off site location.
Will the new renovation leave less room for printed materials?
The renovation will provide additional room for printed resources.
What considerations were made when choosing a vote date?
There has been much discussion about when to hold a vote. It's very common for libraries to hold their bond referendums separate from the annual budget vote so both issues receive the attention they deserve. There is also concern about pushing the vote date back further as some of our repairs included in the plans are dire.
When is the vote date?
The Trustees have set June 17th as the date for the vote and are collaborating with the necessary professionals to ensure it happens. Once the date is confirmed, updates will be shared through the appropriate channels to inform the community.