On August 13, 2018, the local television station News12 Long Island featured a Paul Cataldo Architecture & Planning (PCAP) project, our renovation of the periodical reading room at West Islip Public Library. State Assemblywoman Christine Pellegrino was interviewed. “This is the greatest gift that I think we can give communities,” Pellegrino explained. “To provide more assistance for families, for kids, encouraging them to come and use their libraries more often.”
As a result of magazines and newspapers moving online, the periodical room of the West Islip Public Library had become greatly underutilized over time. Meanwhile, library patrons had a growing need for a meeting room with video capability. Our design challenge was to convert the room into a meeting room while still providing space for periodical displays and reading. The plan featured:
- New computer counter
- New power and data connections next to each seat
- Floating fireplace on a horizontal granite hearth
- Wall-length cherry shelving fireplace surround
- Condensed displays for periodicals
The West Islip Public Library renovation is part of PCAP’s ongoing commitment to transform Long Island libraries and provide local residents with modern and functional community centers. In addition to West Islip Public Library, PCAP has also worked with Islip Public Library, creating a public garden terrace to enhance their community space. As information increasingly becomes more digitized, libraries across Long Island are reimagining themselves as community and event centers.
PCAP is proud to be part of this wonderful community project. The mission of our architecture firm is to produce healthy buildings that advance the human condition and better their surroundings, environmentally, economically, and socially. We can think of no better way to advance society than to bring more people to their local libraries.