Previously, the library could not entertain more than 21 people in a program. The new room will more than double the allowed occupancy.
“With our old program room, we often had to turn away people on a waiting list because we just didn't have room enough for everyone who wanted to attend,” Carol Donick, director of the Kent Public Library, said in a statement. “We are delighted that the room will allow us to offer more programs, which can be attended by more than 21 people at a time.”
Putnam County Executive MaryEllen Odell attended the grand opening with Putnam County Legislators Carl Albano and Toni Addonizio.
“Our libraries are vital resources to our communities,” Odell said in a statement. “They offer a variety of programs that are tailored to the needs of the people. They often act as a conduit between people and the resources they need. This new room will ensure that the Kent Public Library will not have to turn people away from programs they want to participate in. It encourages people to be more engaged in the community to take advantage of the resources we have available.”
Donick noted the idea for the new room was birthed from the feedback the library received from the community.
“When we asked patrons to give us up to five words to describe the way they would like the Kent Public Library to be ten years in the future, the words mentioned most often were ‘community’ and ‘books’,” Donick said. “After that were ‘programs’, ‘variety’ and ‘communication.’ The room will help us build community by offering a variety of programs.”
The room also will allow the library to host more frequent used book sales.
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