Good news for Scarsdale. … the Scarsdale Public Library will receive an $111,280 library construction grant for improvements of the library’s HVAC system. The grant monies are from the $14 million in capital funds that were made available for public library construction in the 2010 State Budget.

“I strongly supported the Library’s request for a construction grant,” said Senator Oppenheimer, who wrote to the NYS Library System on behalf of Scarsdale’s grant application. “The heating/cooling roof top unit that services a portion of the library has well exceeded its life expectancy of 25 years. I was stunned to learn that when the unit fails, which it does with some frequency, a library staff member is required to climb onto the roof to restart the unit manually. This library construction grant will be instrumental in creating a more energy efficient, comfortable and productive space for library patrons and staff members,” said the Senator.

The Scarsdale Public Library ranks second in circulation per capita and third in circulation per hours opened in the Westchester Library System (WLS). The library is open to residents (population 17,800) and non-residents alike, and like many other public libraries has experienced increased usage in the current economic environment. Students, job seekers and residents from Scarsdale and surrounding communities visit the library to access books and other research materials and to use the library’s technology services.

“New York’s public libraries are in urgent need of renovation and upgrading,” observed Senator Oppenheimer. “With public library usage at an all-time high, existing library facilities in my district have been stretched to the breaking point.”