Ebooks, Netflix, and Library Building Projects (Part 41, East Hampton Library)

Court Awards Permit for Library's Children's Wing. (East Hampton Star, 5/19/2011)

Excerpt:  Erroneous,” “arbitrary,” “capricious,” and “irrational." These words were used, more than once, in a State Supreme Court decision to describe the East Hampton Village Zoning Board of Appeals denial of a special permit and two variances to the East Hampton Library for its proposed children’s wing. In what Tom Twomey, the chairman of the library board and an attorney, called "a landmark decision for the state and for the country," the Supreme Court has granted the library permission to construct a 6,800-square-foot addition in the back of the building.

"I've been waiting for this moment for eight years," said Mr. Twomey at a press conference held at the library Thursday. The ruling by the court also includes a decision, one which was argued by the Z.B.A., that the East Hampton Library, and therefore all libraries in the state that are similarly chartered by the Board of Regents, is indeed an educational institution, and that the proposed addition is in keeping with the "Main Street Village area" character.

Mr. Twomey said that more than half of the $4 million needed to go forth with the addition has already been raised, "but our hands were tied." Now the Library's board plans on aggressive fund-raising to come up with the additional funds necessary, and will not break ground, according to Mr. Twomey, until the money is in hand.