Locust Valley Library
Locust Valley, NY  |  2015

Founded in 1909, with a contribution from the Matinecock Neighborhood Association, the first home of the Locust Valley Library was a two-room cottage. The building that now houses the library was built in 1914 as the Matinecock Neighborhood House and it even housed a bowling alley and the Locust Valley Fire Department on its lower level. A library wing was added 1923, and in 1936 the Matinecock Neighborhood Association turned the building and grounds over to the Locust Valley Library. The building was renovated in the early 1980’s and in late 1990’s. Throughout the years the Locust Valley Library has continued to serve as an actively-used library and community center. MDA’s challenge was to describe opportunities for improved use to support today’s library service goals and encourage a participatory library experience. The renewal brought clarity to the layout and improved access to the collections, public computers and causal seating as redesigned zones maximize function, efficient space use and flexibility for future change. Highlights include a new Business Center, a Teen’s Zone and a much improved Children’s Zone on the lower level. Welcoming environments intuitively unfold to provide for a wide range of user choice, a welcoming civic presence and a sense of place.

MDA designgroup