Dans Papers - May 18, 2007 - Library Makes A Move

It's tough packing up and moving. Friends of mine just did that very thing, going from one address in Cutchogue to another. They're still settling in and are not quite ready to have us over to dinner.

You know how it is. You're in a certain place for years and you just accumulate. In the basement you discover, as you prepare to move, all kinds of things you never even knew you had. Upstairs there's all that furniture, books, your computer, and on and on. Some things should be discarded. They surely should. But it's hard making those decisions.

And so in the end, my friends hired professional movers and just about everything they cared for was packed and moved a mile or so east. They had been on the sunny south side of Main Road. Now they're on the sunny north side. Though everything seems sunny on the North Fork. Ask our grapes.

But why was this move so unique? Well, for example, if you or I were to move, we might have to box a few hundred books, maybe not even that many. One computer? Two? Up until last year I had no computer at all.

My friends, however? That's a different story. They've an awful lot of books. About 43,000. That's right, 43,000. Lots of computers, too. So moving was a pretty hefty job.

I suppose you realize this is no ordinary household. It's the Cutchogue New Suffolk Free Library we're talking about here. And the care taken to ensure a smooth transition speaks volumes for the professionalism and dedication of library staff members.

Why the move? Seems Cutchogue's well-used and loved library is in need of renovation. Big-time renovation. The best advice from construction experts was empty the library - for safety's sake and for unhampered progress. But where to relocate? It just so happens a comfortable spot was available in the new complex that houses Bridgehampton National Bank. Go for it!

And so they did. Cutchogue went without a library for two weeks while professional library movers from Bay Shore, along with library staff, moved books, desks, computers, copy machine, printers and whatever else makes Cutchogue's library the best place in town. Oh, and I thought I had trouble moving the papers stacked on my kitchen table. I generally move 'em to my bedroom when company's coming. Next day they're back in the kitchen. Guess I need a professional mover.

When Cutchogue Library opened in its new location (it will be there about 10 months), I went up for a visit. You should know the library is in the back of that new complex and in two separate wings - one for children, the other for young adults and whatever they call people my age. I checked out that wing first.

You won't believe this. It's carpeted, table and chaired, sunny. And full of books. In short, just fine for the duration. The jigsaw puzzles were spread out, as is the custom, on one table. Magazines, newspapers, CDs, all my old pals, were right there on tall racks. And on the fresh-paint walls were old, familiar paintings from the "other" library. Like Roy DeMeo's New Suffolk post office painting that for years greeted us from its spot behind the circulation desk. I felt right at home.

Why shouldn't I? On my way in I met Liz Burns, library director. Actually she was out in the parking lot talking to a carpenter. The way she's worked on this library project I fully expect her to pick up a bucket of nails and start hammering. She's non-stop.

And the staff members inside the library? Well, their surroundings have changed a bit (a lot) but their spirits haven't. Now they go an extra mile, literally, because many of the books patrons request are stored in the basement. Meaning a staff member goes downstairs, selects the book, and then comes upstairs. These staff members are pretty sharp-looking professionals but I bet they're all wearing sneakers.

Most staff members go home for lunch since there's no kitchen in this temporary library. Rest easy, though. There is a bathroom, a big one.

The children's wing? Guaranteed the young ones will be happy. Books, a game corner, tables for crafts. They'll not be shortchanged.

I realize I didn't mention the name of this new Cutchogue complex. It's Country Commons. I'll tell you now that's a misnomer as far as the Cutchogue Library is concerned. What these folks have done - move a library - is quite uncommon. Well, maybe not for the North Fork.