Our New Library Building
Our New Library Building
Architect Bill Connor chose to design the building with reference to the Greek Revival architecture found throughout Clifton Park and Halfmoon. This is most evident in the pediment and columns of the entry and in the “eyebrow windows” of the façade. Approaching the door, patrons pass by the sculpture “Beginnings,” by Bruno LaVerdiere, featuring the first lines of favorite books, submitted by library patrons.
Entering the doors of 475 Moe Road, patrons see an inviting space of natural wood and muted greens and greys. A two-story window wall bathes this space in natural light and opens to a view of the Reading Garden and the woods beyond. Tables and carrels flank this wall near inviting shelves of books, CDs and DVDs. Computers for public use are nearby, as is a computer lab.
Upstairs, the Children’s Library is packed with such child-friendly features as a comfy mat for reading and doing puzzles, whimsical light fixtures, and comical chairs. The area has its own versatile activity room.
A 300-seat, dividable program room available for lectures, music, and plays is also on the second floor. Staff areas of the building – needed for a staff of about 100 full- and part-time employees – are tucked behind the scenes. The back lawn is used for concerts and other events in the summer.
Planning and building a structure such as this is takes the time and dedication of a number of people. Listen to their voices and memories of creating this beautiful, award-winning library.
Our building was recognized with the Outstanding Public Library Building award from the Public Libraries Section of New York Library Association in 2007.
Architect Bill Connor (pictured here with Jo Piracci and Christene Thurston) describes to librarian Tenaya Bannon the theme of "discovery & exploration" in the design of the library, as symbolized by the compass rose found in the main reading room. From here, you can go anywhere.
Former Board of Trustees President Christene Thurston tells Town Historian John Scherer about some of the decisions that the Board had to make in building the library, right down to the pavers you see in front of the Library and in the Reading Garden.
Kathy Adam Browne was a Library staff member and administrator until her retirement in 2015. Here she describes some of the details in the building that are meaningful to her, including the obelisk, and how it felt to move in to this new space.
In this compilation, you will hear longtime Friend Jo Anne Robbins and former Board of Trustees members Ed Rodger and Debbie Curto describe some of their impressions of the Library.
History Preserved
Of course, some of the wonderful features of the new building are the connections to the history of the two towns of Clifton Park and Halfmoon. Many whose families have lived here for generations will recall the importance of farming in the two towns. Listen as former Halfmoon Town Supervisor Ken DeCerce explains to Library Director Alex Gutelius how two of the historic artifacts displayed in the Library came to be here, and reminisces a bit about his youth growing up on a farm in Halfmoon. Then take a look at those and other historic artifacts pictured below.
