New-look Victor Farmington Library space opens to community

Mike Murphy, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
·2 min read

VICTOR, NY – First thing Monday morning, several Victor Farmington Library, community and Ontario and Farmington Chamber of Commerce officials gathered to mark the opening of the library’s renovated east wing after six weeks of work.

But they had to clear out pretty quickly because the chair yoga folks had the new and improved Malone Room reserved shortly after the ceremony.

This project was a long time coming, according to Library Director Tim Niver, but a welcome one.

“This is one step toward making the library more modern and more relevant in the community,” Niver said. “The project is small in nature, but a big deal to us.”

Gone is the rug that was in the space since the building opened in 1995, and in its place is laminate tile, allowing for a more modern look, flexibility and lower maintenance and easy cleaning.

The project also involved renovating public restrooms and updating the kitchen and staff meeting areas. A new paint job also gives the space a refreshed look.

Library, community and Ontario County and Farmington Chamber of Commerce leaders gather in the newly renovated Malone Room at Victor Farmington Library.
Library, community and Ontario County and Farmington Chamber of Commerce leaders gather in the newly renovated Malone Room at Victor Farmington Library.

The project comes after voters in May 2022 rejected a $16.6 million plan that called for a major library expansion and move from its current location.

“We were not expecting to renovate because we had hoped to move into a new library,” Niver said.

After the unsuccessful vote, library officials regrouped and moved forward in this way. Modernization had to happen, according to Patty Sampson-Bouchard, president of the library board of trustees, and she praised library staff and leadership for finding a way.

The project was funded through New York State Construction Aid, library donors and grant money allocated to Ontario County through the Federal American Rescue Plan Act, with projects approved by the Ontario County Board of Supervisors.

The library’s new-look main meeting area is for all comers and is ready for use.

“From babies all the way to seniors,” Sampson-Bouchard said. “We’re making sure it was user friendly.”

This article originally appeared on MPNnow: Victor Farmington Library's east wing gets upgrade