The finishing touches are being done on the new parking lot at the Center Moriches Library. Visitors will enjoy 55 more places to park and improvements to the existing lot.
The Friends of the Library came through to help fund the $650,000 project, which didn’t require borrowing or a tax increase. The lot was laid out with various considerations in mind, including traffic flow, fencing, landscaping, and unique fixtures to reduce light pollution.
The Friends of the Library conducted book sales and other activities to raise funds for the $32,500 land purchase from the adjacent Episcopal Church of St. John the Baptist. The Friends are a dedicated group of residents who raise funds for equipment, furniture, programs, and other library needs. Library officials are seeking a $225,000 state Construction Aid Grant to help cover the costs.
The library, which also features a bustling Hampton Coffee Company cafe, is a busy place, with the number of visitors increasing every year. It’s a School District Library that serves the Center Moriches Union Free School District, which has a population of over 7,500. The library is also open to residents of East Moriches, Eastport South Manor, and Remsenburg-Speonk.