Following a community survey, a parking study, and numerous revisions by the project architect and the Library’s Buildings and Grounds Committee, Greenwich Library announced a new plan for the much-anticipated Cos Cob Branch Library renovation at a public meeting on Wednesday, November 8.
This revised plan will add an additional 1,120 square feet to the Cos Cob Library, mainly devoted to a new 857-square foot community room. The layout of the existing interior space will change, shifting the children’s section to the Rotunda area on the eastern side of the building and moving the adult section to the western part of the building. This will provide nearly 600 square feet of additional space for children and young adults.
The revised plan considers ideas raised by the community which will expand the community room for greater program capacity, increase the size dedicated in the branch toward children’s services, and enhance the collections to make it a go-to destination.
The revised renovation and expansion plan was developed by Peter Gisolfi Associates from Cos Cob community survey feedback, the recently released 2023-2025 Strategic Plan, and input from the Greenwich Library Board of Trustees, the Friends of Cos Cob Library, and Library leadership and staff. A parking study and site usage analysis were conducted as well as collection of internal data. The Library consulted with neighbors and other community organizations to gauge their views.
“We have heard from the community and are excited to get started on this long-overdue expansion and renovation. We feel this enhanced design will help build the Cos Cob Branch Library in a way its patrons will appreciate and utilize in the years to come,” said Joe Williams, Greenwich Library Director.
“The staff at Cos Cob have been integral to the design and updates of this plan, and we’re happy to be moving forward with this design,” said Hank Ashforth, co-chair of the Library’s Buildings and Grounds committee. “We can’t wait for patrons to see and use the expanded spaces.”
Funding for the Cos Cob renovation is expected to come from a combination of public funding through anticipated capital improvement appropriations and private funding.
For more information, including plan renderings and survey results, please visit our website, www.greenwichlibrary.org/cos-cob/.
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The Greenwich Library system consists of the Main Library on West Putnam Avenue, the Byram Shubert Library branch, and the Cos Cob Library branch. Each building offers ample space to gather, read, work, learn, and grow. Whether you come to the Theater for a film screening, try a 3D printer in the Innovation Lab, or cozy up in an armchair among the stacks, you’ll find yourself at home here. Learn more about recent renovations to the Main Library here: greenwichlibrary.org/reimagine.
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Questions? Contact:
Greenwich Library
(203) 622-7900
info@greenwichlibrary.org