May 29, 2008
Ground was broken for the new Albert Wisner Public Library on McFarland Drive. The groundbreaking was preceded by a “Parade of Patrons”. The Library Board of Trustees, accompanied by public officials, the Warwick High School band, classes from the Park Avenue School, St Stephen’s school and Warwick Homeschoolers as well as patrons of all ages marched up Forester Avenue to the site. At the groundbreaking, members of the community joined officials in symbolically turning over the soil for the new facility. Construction is scheduled to begin in early summer.

Fall 2007
Site work and sidewalk construction scheduled to begin early Fall 2007. This work is partially funded by a NYS Public Library Construction grant. The building construction is scheduled to begin in the Spring of 2008.

March 8, 2007
On March 8th, 2007 a bond for $8.5 million dollars was approved for the construction of the new library by the voters of the Warwick Valley School District.

December 12, 2006
Library Board presents plans for March 8, 2007 referendum to be held at Church street Fire House from 7 am - 9 pm.

November 2006
School Board unanimously passed resolution to conduct a special meeting of the voters on March 8, 2007 for the purpose of a referendum vote on the construction and financing of a new library building.

September 2006
Warwick Grove land transferred. See the Warwick Advertiser page

August 2006
SEQR public hearing scheduled for August 23, 2006 at 7pm at Town hall to receive and consider public comment on site plan and SEQR environmental review of new library building proposed for construction on McFarland Drive. A copy of the proposed site plan and environmental assessment form is on file and available for review at the Town Hall and at the library.
SEQR hearing was held and any public comments received were positive.

Spring/Summer 2006
In the wake of unprecedented and dramatic increases in construction costs, the Library Board works with architect Paul Mays and Construction Management firm UW Marx to reduce size and overall cost of new library plans presented to the community in January of 2005.

March 2006
The Warwick Village Planning Board grants subdivision approval for the 2.2 acre lot on McFarland Drive to be used for the new library. This action allows the donor of the property, Warwick Grove, to transfer the land to the library.

Fall 2005
Senator Thomas Morahan secures an additional $30,000 in state aid to fund continued work on new library project. Assemblywoman Annie Rabbitt gives the library $5,000 in state aid to assist with engineering costs for the new library project

September, 2005
Library hires U W Marx Construction to provide a real cost analysis and value engineering on preliminary new building plans.

July 13, 2005
Library hosts informational party "Under the Tent" in Lewis Park, sharing the Library's plans for the future. Library board president, Donna Applegate's Synopsis.

February 2005
Library Board hires Lehman and Getz Engineers (Warwick, NY) to prepare the documents for the SEQR process. The SEQR process is an environmental review of the impact of the project required by the state of New York before a date can be set for a referendum.

January 25, 2005
Public meeting is held to present the preliminary design for the new library building. Over 100 citizens attend to view the plans and voice their opinions and suggestions.

December 2004
The Library receives a Letter of Intent for the donation of 2.2 acres of land from Warwick Grove Company.

July 2003
Library sponsors Design Workshops and brainstorming for the public sessions led by library architect Paul Mays. The participants worked in small groups to share their ideas and desires about various aspects of the new building’s design. View some of the comments.

June 2003
The Library Board of Trustees hires Paul Mays, from the architectural firm of Butler Rowland Mays (Mechanicville, NY.) The library chose BRM Architects from over 20 qualified architectural firms with experience in library construction.


February 2003
Senator Thomas Morahan (38th District) secures a $50,000 NYS Dept. of Education Grant for the library. This grant will be used to help to defer the costs of pre-construction expenditures for the new building.of the spaces of a new library building and it will be used to develop design alternatives.

December 2002
New Building Program is completed. The New Building Program is a preliminary description.

May 2002
The Board of Trustees approves the formation of a New Building Committee which will act in an advisory capacity to the Board as they begin the task of planning for a new library in Warwick. Their first task will be the completion of a Preliminary New Building Program.

Updated 9/2006