By JESSICA HARDING
Staff Writer
HOLMDEL — A special meeting was held Thursday, Jan. 12, at 6:30 p.m. to release the plans of the new library at Bell Works, which is located at 101 Crawfords Corner.
The proposed Library Learning Center is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2017.
Head of Somerset Development Ralph Zucker, Holmdel Mayor Greg Buontempo and Architect Anthony Iovino unveiled the plans for the library during the meeting.
Zucker recalled when he was growing up, how important libraries were to him.
“As a child, we had no air conditioning,” he said. “My father was a librarian. We went to a library room where they kept old manuscripts, and we sat in the air conditioning to share ideas and stories.”
According to Zucker, Bell Works is a great place for people to get together, to live, to shop, to learn, and soon it will be a great place for people to read.
Iovino shared that the inspiration for the library came from Boston’s Public Library, which his son currently attends.
According to Iovino, the new library will have interactive displays, charging stations, a young adults area, bigger spaces, differently sized meeting rooms, tutor and study rooms, conference rooms, a children’s center, movie showings, book discussions and much more.
Holmdel resident Robyn Pinhas-Hunanski loved the ideas presented.
“I think it is absolutely fantastic,” she said. “This is something the community needs and I hope it takes off. Former Mayor Eric Hinds is such an amazing man and put so much time and thought into getting this started.”
At the close of the meeting, Somerset Development donated $1 million towards the construction of the library.