Smithtown Library branch reopens

The Smithtown Library reopened its Nesconset branch Thursday morning at a former National Guard armory site.

The branch at 148 Smithtown Blvd. houses the library’s technical services department and storage facility. Construction began there in spring 2010.

The latest addition is part of a $21-million library expansion project, which also includes upgrading the three existing branches. Voters approved a construction bond in March 2008.

Renovations at the Commack branch are complete, and it reopened in April. The Kings Park branch is closed for renovations.

The main Smithtown library will close Saturday, July 2, at 5 p.m. for interior construction expected to continue through 2011.

The armory, built in 1960, and surrounding property had been dormant for years before the Smithtown town board turned it over to the library system in 2006. Other local officials had pushed unsuccessfully for the site to be used instead for a recreational center.

Five large garage doors of the armory building, the former vehicle maintenance area, have been converted into a bank of windows and doors leading to the children’s department and a public meeting room.