Westhampton Library Receives Honorable Mention as Landmark Library

The Library Journal, an online and print media publication, has given the an honorable mention as a Landmark Library. The Westhampton Library is among ten other libraries to receive such recognition.

“The library is honored to be included in this prestigious list of libraries,” said Matthew Bollerman, director of the Westhampton Free Library. “The board of trustees wanted to build a library that the community could be proud of and would be used for generations to come. I feel being included as an example to the library community of ‘how to do it’ confirmed their commitment."

According to the 133-year-old Library Journal, the award was created as part of its ongoing effort to provide information on groundbreaking efforts among libraries.

“Library Journal’s New Landmark Libraries project seeks to discover groundbreaking public library buildings and establish a set of standards for library leaders to address as they build, and, in turn, strengthen the capacity of communities to design and build excellence into their public library facilities,” read a press release from the Library Journal.

According to the Library Journal, the Westhampton Library was selected by a panel of 16 judges, including library directors and architects that focused on libraries built or renovated in the last six years.

The 114-year-old Westhampton Free Library underwent a re-build in 2010.

Bollerman says the previous facility, library’s home since 1910, was torn down and a new library was built with a 20-year, $7.78 million bond.

Bollerman says the Library Journal said it selected the Westhampton Library for its design features, including flexibility of space and self-service features. Also mentioned were the library’s solar panels.