Ongoing
14,000 square feet
New Construction

In 2023, the Skaneateles Library Association engaged Oudens Ello Architecture (OEA) to design a new 14,000-square-foot, two-story public library for the Village of Skaneateles, New York. Since 1890, the library has occupied a historic stone building on Genesee Street; while architecturally significant, the facility has long been constrained by outdated systems, limited accessibility, inadequate program space, minimal parking, and shared occupancy with a law office and the Barrow Art Gallery—conditions that precluded meaningful expansion.

Following several years of community advocacy and site selection, a two-acre parcel within walking distance of the village center was secured to accommodate a purpose-built facility. The new library provides expanded children’s and adult collections areas, multiple flexible meeting rooms, a 100-person community room, a used book shop, and a café—positioning the building as both a contemporary library and a vibrant civic hub. The site also allows for generous public parking and outdoor programming space.

The building’s scale and massing are thoughtfully calibrated to its residential context, with materials and detailing that reflect the character of the surrounding neighborhood. A covered porch marks the primary entrance and creates a welcoming threshold for visitors arriving from both the street and parking areas. Designed as a model of environmental stewardship, the all-electric, fossil-fuel-free facility incorporates on-site renewable energy systems. The property extends to Skaneateles Creek, where a future boardwalk and interpretive landscape will highlight stormwater management strategies, local biodiversity, and the importance of watershed protection within the Finger Lakes region.