Since it was closed in the fall of 2020, residents of the area of the city seeing the most dynamic renewal are still without a library branch. The Louis Piantino Library closed in 2020 after the former Allingtown Community Center, a section of the former Forest School, was deeded to developer David Beckerman as part of his reconstruction of the borough’s center district.
Since the closure, the Village Improvement Association (VIA) has been busy trying to secure a location for the library. The VIA has secured some property on Boston Post Road, but some legal issues remain, according to Head Library Colleen Bailie.
“The VIA purchased land through endowment funds at 634 Boston Post Road back in June 2022, with the hopes of having 668 (neighboring property) foreclosed on and then deeded over to the VIA,” she said. “That is still pending, and no guarantee will be released to the library.”
Should that fall through, the agency is looking to another possibility. According to Bailie, the VIA is also collaborating with the Fire Department of West Haven-Allingtown on building a library/fire department on a site to be determined.
While the VIA secured a property with endowment funds, the construction costs and other expenses will come from various sources, once a plan is put into motion.
“Financing will be from a number of sources, including a state library construction grant (already approved), state and federal grants, and a capital campaign. The library is working with the Giving Collaborative to launch a full capital campaign as a means for corporate and public contributions to the Allingtown library project,” Bailie said. “We are also applying for a number of grants for the project, including the Community Investment Fund. Working with the fire department, we believe there will be newer opportunities for collaborative funding for the project.”
Should things go smoothly, Bailie believes the planning and construction could mean a new library is in place by the winter of 2025. It could be sooner, but several pieces have to “fall into place” for that to happen.
At one point there was discussion on moving the Piantino Library to the former CVS location at the corner of Campbell Avenue and the Post Road. However, Bailie reported that is no longer an option for the library’s leadership.
While waiting for a new location, the books and effects taken out of former venue were moved to the main library, or have found their way to other places, according to Bailie.
“The Piantino book collection is currently in the condensed stacks at the Main library, with items available for loan. Items that have been removed from the location have been donated or given to the Friends of the Library for a number of book sales. Furniture from the former branch has been either donated to other groups or reallocated in the remaining two library branches,” she said.
Once the new library is completed, the services offered will be increased as well, serving a customer base that is looking for newer ways of getting information as well as those found in a traditional library.
“With the new Allingtown location we are looking to increase the numbers of computers available to the public, have a much larger meeting space available for use after hours, a historical room containing the Library’s WH historical collection, a separate teen area and children’s program room, and more private study areas with ample parking,” Bailie said.
The Louis Piantino Library was a longstanding part of the Allingtown Center and its surrounding area. First opened in a commercial property on the Boston Post Road near Front Avenue, the library was moved to the newly opened Allingtown Community Center when the former Forest School was remodeled in the 1970s.
Many residents of the borough have lamented the loss of the library, and are eager for its return in some location nearby. Borough resident and GOP Mayoral Candidate Steven Mullins is not only a supporter of the library, but has suggested the new location get a new name.
Mullins has suggested former longtime City Clerk Al Forte be remembered by naming the new location after him. Forte was a lifetime resident of Allingtown, and well known in civic and community circles.
Whatever happens with the new location, Bailie said the plan is to offer Allingtown residents the all the services expected in a modern-day library complex.
“Myself and the library board are committed to seeing a library location in Allingtown as soon as possible to enable the library to serve the needs of all residents in West Haven; whether its technology help, programming, lending materials, or a community space,” she said finally.
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