As part of a planned interior design and expansion project, the Westhampton Free Library Board of Trustees awarded a $1.3 million bid to Lipsky Construction of Bayport at its regular board meeting on Aug. 15.

With the bid approved, the Library must next obtain Village of Westhampton Beach Planning Board approval prior to the start of construction, planned for the fall. The Library previously received a stamp of approval from the Suffolk County Department of Health.

The project will result in the conversion of 2,500 square feet of unused space within the Library into usable space. The plan, which was designed after a series of community charrettes, specifically includes an expansion of the children’s program room and a reconfiguration of the main floor of the Library to accommodate a more efficient flow, additional book stacks and a quiet study room. The project is expected to be completed by June 2019.

The project is being predominantly funded through private donations, including funds bequeathed to the Library from Ann Skovek in her will.

The Library would like to extend its gratitude to Suffolk County Legislator Bridget Fleming and Southampton Town Supervisor Jay Schneiderman for their assistance in moving this exciting project forward.