Expansion Designed to Bring Library Into the Future

The Wyckoff Public Library will one day be a fully modern facility, with additional room for all patrons and expanded services, should an expansion project proceed as planned.

The library's vision for the planned expansion—which would take a facility that hasn't been significantly updated in nearly 40 years and transform it into a vibrant community center—was articulated Tuesday night by library staff and the project's architect in an appearance before the Township Committee.

Governing body members and residents had the chance to question architect Todd Harvey, of BH&A Architects, about the size, scope and timeline of the long-planned project. Harvey detailed the thought process that led his firm and the library board to plan an expansion he says will add approximately 6,000 square feet of space to the Woodland Avenue building while giving staff the ability to expand offerings to the community. Most praised the library's plans while others expressed concern about its financing and delays in going out to bid.

Harvey, noting that his firm specializes in library planning, told the committee and crowd that "libraries really have become a place to gather" rather than simply being depositories for books. "Libraries have changed dramatically" over the past few decades, he said. "They're much more dynamic institutions."

Residents backed Harvey's assertion that the library "really has no place for people," as he noted the lack of study space, the cramped children's area, the lack of young adult services and the basement location of the Monroe Room, where community groups can meet. To address the building's needs, the expansion would see an enlarged children's room, a dedicated young adults section, enlarged space for adults, an enlarged audiovisual area, more study space and a new community room downstairs.

"The new plan expands every area of the building," Harvey said.

The architect said the proposal calls for adult space to be increased by 800 square feet; the audiovisual space to be enlarged by 420 square feet; the construction of 150 square feet of study space; the creation of 635 square feet of room for young adults; and a significant expansion of the children's room, from 1,750 square feet at present to 4,750 square feet in the future. The children's room would be enclosed to contain noise, Harvey said.

The expansion would be in keeping with the current aesthetics of the library. "Our intent was to create a design that looked as if the library has always been there," Harvey said.

Additionally, the expansion would see the construction of an elevator for easy access to the new community meeting room down below, as well as upgrades to the building's structural needs. The HVAC systems would be updated, a sprinkler system would be installed, new carpets would be added and energy-efficient lights would be installed. Harvey, in response to a question by Mayor Rudy Boonstra, said the project would be "done with sustainable principles" using some recycled materials, while also employing some solar panels to offset electrical usage.

Financing, construction

The library has amassed approximately $4 million in surplus over the past 15 to 18 years that is dedicated to the expansion project, which Harvey estimated could cost roughly $3.8 million. However, a final price will not be known until the project goes out to bid.

The library board had hoped to have bids back already, with a spring start date on a project that has been estimated to take as long as 16 months, although Harvey said the selected contractor will be asked to complete the expansion within 12 months. 

Complicating the bidding process is the need for the state to sign off on building plans. While the project could be awarded to a contractor in the coming weeks if desired, the chance that the state could ask for revisions led Harvey to prefer that all plans be fully vetted before being submitted for bids.

However, board trustee Vince Antonacci, an architect, worried that the state could take months to approve the building plans instead of weeks as Harvey estimated. If so, he said the board could possibly open the bidding after consulting with its attorney on whether the process could be non-binding. That way, a contractor could be selected and the expansion priced, with the project ready to proceed once final approvals are in from the state.

The library board also has discussed the possibility of temporarily moving to cut down on construction time, although doing so would necessarily limit services to the public, as the library would have to rent likely smaller space elsewhere. 

Township Committee members lauded the work of the library board, particularly the efforts of treasurer Alma Mader, for being able to "squirrel away" such funds over the years to enable the project to go forward.

Needs, concerns

Library board chairman Henry Shotmeyer told the Township Committee that the "library took great pains to make sure all options were explored," while Harvey said, "This is the plan that the last couple of years (of study) has got us to."

Library Director Judy Schmitt said that a survey of library patrons was among the measures the library used to gauge its needs. Staff found that the patrons and employees were largely in agreement, although the survey's scope was limited, as it only was distributed to library patrons.

Under questioning by Committeeman David Connolly, Schmitt said that the cost of sending the survey out to the whole township largely drove the decision to feature the survey just within the library.

Boonstra questioned Harvey on the possibility of merely adding a second floor to the library, an idea that has been frequently expressed by at least one resident, Gerry Goetting of Lawlins Road. The architect said he had looked at it as an alternative to the planned expansion but felt that it wouldn't address the needs of the library or necessarily be any cheaper than the ground-floor expansion.

"The space isn't full enough for a full second floor," he said, noting that the roof would have to be raised to accommodate another level. Furthermore, a second floor would necessitate separate electrical and HVAC work, as well as staircases and elevators. It would also pose staffing concerns, as employees would have to be dedicated to that area at all times.

"We felt it wasn't practical," Harvey said.

A member of the public wondered if the children's room would have its own bathroom, especially for the benefit of young mothers. Harvey said a bathroom will be installed, complete with changing tables.

A speaker got a round of applause from the crowd after arguing that the expansion was greatly needed. She said she was in the habit of driving to the Franklin Lakes Library, primarily because the cramped nature of Wyckoff's facility makes it difficult to enjoy quiet reading. 

The library board will meet for its regularly scheduled meeting at 7:30 p.m. today at the library.