Smithtown Library branch set to reopen months after it was devastated by flooding

The Smithtown Library is almost ready to welcome back patrons — at least to its first floor — at its namesake branch eight months after historic flooding devastated the facility.

Powered ceiling lights showcase dozens of fully shelved cases of books and donated DVDs and CDs. The building’s HVAC system provides warmth on a chilly April day.

About three weeks ago, the building was dependent on temporary generators for heat and lighting, and months ago had a musky odor from wet books.

On Monday, the library staff told Newsday the branch is set to reopen in late April or early May.

"We've been very, very touched ... by the amount of ... support that we've received from the community," Smithtown Library director Rob Lusak said.

Renovations to the library's gutted basement will take about another year to complete, Lusak said.

The flood damaged the library’s elevator, which provided access to its mezzanine, first floor and basement. The mezzanine will be closed until the elevator is operating.

Community programming will continue at the Smithtown Library's three other branches in Kings Park, Nesconset and Commack.

Bringing the building to this standard took months of cleaning, disinfecting and repairing, Lusak said.

"Electricians have been working their tails off to restore the power," Lusak added.

In August, floodwaters broke a now boarded-up basement window, causing severe water damage to more than 21,000 audio visual items and endangering a historical collection of Long Island documents.

The entire basement, including its ceiling tiles, boiler room, bathrooms and community rooms, was completely stripped in October.

Lusak said they had been working with FEMA and New York State's Homeland Security and Emergency Services for reimbursement and mitigation services.

"They've held our hand the entire process, because, obviously, we've never experienced anything like this in the past," Lusak said.

Assistant director Eileen Caulfield, Long Island Room librarian Caren Zatyk and Lusak traveled to Michigan three weeks ago to inspect the Long Island History collection, where restoration company Prism Specialties is working on the documents.

"We're very happy to report that the bulk of the collection is going to be restored," Lusak said.

Items like microfilm will be cleaned by library staff by hand.

The restoration process will take about a year, Lusak said.

When they return to Long Island, the documents will be stored in a reconfigured first floor in the Cornelia Butler Reading Room.

The room is the original library building, erected in 1912, that sits across the street from the library on Hauppauge Road, Caulfield said. 

Philanthropist Cornelia Butler, whom the room is named after, donated the land to build and financed the construction of the building, which was moved to its current location in 1950.

"We think that this is such a perfect use, that the Long Island Room would come full circle to be in the original town library," Caulfield said.

In their new home, collections will be displayed in locked glass temperature-controlled shelves and will be available upon request. Certain items also will be showcased in glass tables.

Although no ceremony is planned, Lusak said he knows how much the reopening will mean to the community.

Supporters of the library have donated almost $20,000 since the August floods, in addition to dozens of DVDs and CDs to help replenish its collection.

"Anytime somebody pulls in here into the parking lot, they’re saying, ‘Hey, when's my library opening?’ " Lusak said. "And that's why we're really anxiously awaiting the reopening of the doors again."