The Solvay Public Library, established in 1903, is a municipal library serving the Village of Solvay and the Town of Geddes. Located next to the elementary school, the library is within walking distance for many village residents and is close to a Centro bus stop. To best serve it's patrons, the library is a member of the Onondaga County Public Library System, participating in its interlibrary loan and cooperative services.
As a key educational center in the community, the Solvay Public Library interacts with the Solvay Union Free Schools, BOCES, the Solvay Youth Center, and the Town of Geddes Recreation Department. The library also provides special loans to the Solvay Senior Apartments. The library is well used, with overall circulation up over 6% last year and 11.5% the prior year. Circulation per Holdings was up 13.6% last year and circulation per capita was up 17.2%. Computer Circulation has increased the most dramatically, and through October is up 45.6% over 2001's total usage. In addition to the traditional holdings of the Library, it also houses the Solvay Process Collection, archives of Solvay Process Company (Allied Chemical), which left Solvay in 1986.
For decades the Solvay Public Library has served as a cultural and social center for the Village of Solvay and the Town of Geddes. A variety of events take place on Library grounds each year, and the grand historic landmark is one of the most recognizable buildings in the community.
In anticipation of the Library's 100th Anniversary, the Library Board of Trustees has begun the process of expanding and renovating the building that houses the library. One of the primary objectives of the project is to update the library facility so that it can remain a public use building. The Solvay Public Library is housed in one of three Carnegie libraries in the county and is the only one that remains a public use building. The grand, Greek revival yellow brick building requires one to climb ten steps to enter, making the building inaccessible to the handicapped and disabled. It is also difficult to access for parents with very young children. Parking is woefully inadequate. The growth of the collection and the addition of media materials and computers has made the library space cramped and inefficient. Library Staff has virtually no space to organize their work and store supplies. Poor drainage around the building is threatening this historic landmark's foundation with hydrostatic pressure and resulted in years of water seepage and interior flooding. The trustees aim to resolve these problems by 2005, the building's 100th anniversary.
At a recent meeting, the Board of Trustees approved the preparation of final plans for Phase 1 of the project and anticipates going to bid in January on the site-work and parking expansion. Phase 1 work is expected to commence in the spring.
In 2003, planning for Phase 2 & 3 will intensify and implementation of Phase 2 will commence. In Phase 2 we will add to the rear/south of the building, creating a new entrance facing Orchard Road. The grand Woods Road entrance will remain unchanged as an emergency exit. The addition will allow the oak paneled reading rooms to remain the same with their fireplaces. The new space will house a larger circulation desk, staff workspaces, new bathrooms beside the new entrance, less steep stairs to the lower level, display areas, and some new collection space. Our plan will make all public areas handicapped accessible. The lower level will have more space for programs, meeting room, collection space, technology areas, new utilities and storage. These improved facilities will allow greater participation in "non-traditional" library activities, currently some of the fastest growing library programs. And finally, in Phase 3, renovations will update the HVAC and tie the new area to the old. The steep stairwell will house a new elevator, improving accessibility. It is our goal to complete this work prior to the Centennial celebration for the building in 2005.
Once completed, the Centennial Building Project will allow all county library patrons physical access to this building. The community will continue to be able to enjoy this grand historical landmark as a municipal building. The library will be able to provide more programs, more meeting spaces, and more efficient service to the increasing number of patrons. More and better displays will promote the collection. Staff can better distribute information to the community because of the more efficient layout, circulation desk visibility and location, and organized workspace. Materials and furniture on the lower level will be protected from water damage. Adequate parking will be available for the increasing number of patrons. Parking and space solutions will enable the library to provide more programs to more people, particularly seniors, the disabled and mothers with infants.
Preserving this Carnegie library extends beyond the scope of library services. The building represents the history of the Village as it was created in the hey-day of corporate wealth and immigrant settlement. Today it stands as one of the few grand village landmarks still remaining. It represents how the combined wealth of residents can provide for a community center for learning and the freedom of access to information we relish in this country. The Solvay Public Library is worthy of your support.
Tax deductible donations can be mailed to Solvay Public Library, 615 Woods Road, Solvay, New York 13209.