In mid-February, the Great Neck Library Parkville Branch reopened after undergoing a major renovation. The Parkville Branch is located at 10 Campbell St., New Hyde Park, next to the Parkville School.
The Parkville Branch closed for renovations in early July 2023. While the branch was closed, the other Great Neck Public Libraries offered extra programming to accommodate the closed branch.
The Parkville Branch construction targeted and modified the interior design to maximize the space’s function and appeal. It now has a bright and colorful design, comfortable furniture and seating options, an updated scanning system and wireless printing.
“The Parkville Branch re-opening is a special occasion for New Hyde Park residents and everyone else who will use this beautifully redesigned space for learning, enrichment, and recreation,” said Rory Lancman, President of the Great Neck Library Board of Trustees. “The board of trustees is especially grateful to our Library staff, our team of architects and builders, and our community partners for their vision, cooperation, and commitment to seeing this very important project through to completion.”
On Thursday, Feb. 15, the Parkville Branch hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony where library staff members, elected officials, representatives from the Great Neck Public School District and library patrons gathered to celebrate. New York State Assemblywoman Gina Sillitti, Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Jennifer DeSena and Town Councilmember Christine Liu presented the library with citations to congratulate them on reopening.
“The ideas, hopes and visions for the branch and the community have been incorporated into a beautiful, bright, inspiring design,” said Denise Corcoran, Great Neck Library Director. “This renovation demonstrates the library’s commitment to being a cornerstone for connectivity, inspiration, culture, education and recreation. Thank you to the community for supporting the renovation and for their patience during the whole process.”
While thanking the community for their patience with the renovation, Corcoran thanked the Great Neck Public School District. As the Parkville Branch is directly next to the Parkville School, the staff and students at the school endured months of construction noises and disturbances. But the Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Kenneth Bossert; Assistant Superintendent for Business, John O’Keefe; Director of Buildings and Grounds, Alfredo Cavallaro; Parkville School Principal, Michelle Bell and the Great Neck Board of Education showed immense support throughout the project.
“[The school district] worked with us tirelessly on challenges that came up. They were extremely responsive in helping resolve issues and I just want to thank them very much for their work,” said Corcoran.
Board of Education President Rebecca Sassouni shared a quote from Former Associate Justice of the Supreme Court Stephen Breyer: “Libraries and schools are the nurseries of democracy.” She added, “It’s not a coincidence that the Great Neck Public Schools and the libraries share these spaces. That’s what it’s all about for families from across the peninsula to be able to utilize these spaces as patrons. It’s a joy.”
As mentioned by Councilmember Liu, the incredible library system Great Neck has is one of the many reasons families choose to settle down in Great Neck. “As a parent who moved into the neighborhood over a decade ago, we always look for our libraries. When I drove around, I looked at the schools, and I looked at the libraries. I knew this was a good place to move into 12 years ago. So, thank you for all the services that you constantly provide. I heard outside after we cut the ribbon, the library staff said, ‘We’re back! We’re back!’ So, I’m so happy to be a part of this.”
Without expanding the building, Elizabeth Martin, FAIA, from MDA designgroup architects & planners, did a fantastic job redesigning the branch to maximize the use of every inch of space. Additionally, Cameron Engineering and Jobco Incorporated provided support for the renovation.
“The Great Neck Library Parkville branch has long been a center in this community, and it was essentially an amazing library service that the Great Neck Library and its dedicated staff provides,” said Martin. “But the prior space did not match the high bar set by its library services. We could not make it bigger, so we aimed to make it better. Hillary Clinton often mentioned that it takes a village, and I think that really does perfectly describe the incredible teamwork of everyone here that made this dream come true.”
The renovated space has various seating options, including booths, window seats, and tables. There is a community room for programs, a quiet room for studying, shelves of adult books and media items for borrowing, and comfortable furniture all over for relaxing, reading and studying. There is also a bright and cheery children’s room with a large collection of books, toys, and seating options.
Visit the newly renovated Parkville Branch at 10 Campbell St., New Hyde Park. For more information about the library and what it has to offer, visit greatnecklibrary.org or call 516-466-8055
