As concrete is being poured and the cinder block walls are going up at the location of Plainsboro’s new library, township officials are turning their eyes toward what will become of the library’s current facility. A number of possibilities, including having additional community meeting space, was presented to the Township Committee on October 22 in the form of a preliminary plan designed by Joanne Lupica.##M:[more]##
Plainsboro Deputy Mayor Neil Lewis says officials have been looking for ways to provide more space for community groups to hold their meetings and gatherings. Having the current library facility available once the new one is completed “does offer us a good opportunity to move forward at a very limited cost,” says Lewis. “We have opened the door to a lot of considerations, particularly with regard to additional meeting space, training rooms, and additional performance areas.”
He said Lupica and officials are still working on the plan and have at least another nine to twelve months before the new library opens. He said the plan comes with some room improvements, but none of the work would require massive reconstruction.
Meanwhile, officials are hoping to have the new library completely sealed in time for the winter, said Jinny Baeckler, the library’s director. Everything is going as scheduled, and on Friday, November 14, says Baeckler, some staff members will be heading to New York City to look at the first round of furniture proposals. “The staff looked at various styles of furniture for offices last Monday,” she added, saying that the staff chose what colors and styles they liked and didn’t like. “The circulation desk is really vital and needs to be sufficient,” Baeckler says. “There’s a lot of give and take back and forth between the furniture people and us.”
Says Baeckler: “We are really trying to pick up some of the colors and fabrics and designs of the various ethnic groups in the community,” such as some groups that might prefer to sit on low seating or pillows. “One of the things we find ourselves doing is listening. We are trying to create a comfortable place where people can learn.”
