A New Chapter

The Fayetteville Free Library’s next chapter is being written—and you are at the heart of the story.

Thanks to a private bequest and public grants, we are building a vibrant new Youth Wing designed to serve children, teens, and families for generations.

This will open up space for a new Teen Space, Makerspace & STEM Learning Lab, and Focused Work Zone.


Help Write the Story

We’ve launched our “A New Chapter” Capital Campaign to help furnish these new spaces and unlock their full potential.

Through meaningful gifts and naming opportunities, donors can make a lasting impact. Your gift will help us create spaces where children discover, teens belong, ideas take shape, and community members learn, create, and connect.

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“A New Chapter” News

FAQs

Construction on the Children’s Room, Youth Programming Room and In-Between space is expected to run throughout 2026. These spaces are anticipated to open in early 2027.

The Makerspace and Teen spaces will be moving into their new locations in late 2027/early 2028.

Funding for construction of the Youth Wing has been fully secured by library administration through two grants: a New York State Construction Grant and New York State CREST Grant, and through a generous bequest from former avid library user, Dan Kirkley.

These renovations will broaden our capacity to respond to the evolving, increasing needs of our community. Not only will the new Youth Wing allow for the expansion and improvement of the Library’s programs and spaces for young people and families; at the same time, this new wing will free up existing areas of the library to better serve adults.

Highlights & Benefits for Youth/Families:

  • A bright, welcoming Children’s Room built to provide improved access to our collections, interactive play areas, convenient bathrooms and care room, and comfortable seating options
  • Adjacent Youth Programming Room thoughtfully designed for storytimes, crafts, STEM programs, and hands-on activities for children and families – with built-in sink, storage, and more
  • New “In-Between Space” for tweens, with books, hangout areas, and quiet study nooks, perfect for the needs of middle grade kids
  • Future Dedicated Teen Space planned as a safe, supportive place to study, relax, and connect with friends – instead of just the hallway space the teens have now!

Highlights for Adults:

  • Expanded access to adult programs, partner events, and community meeting space- as availability our existing Community Room for these will increase with the creation of the Youth Programming Space
  • Improved, Accessible Makerspace: Creating a new Children’s Room will free up our existing Children’s Room to become a state-of-the-art Makerspace, designed with user needs in mind
  • Additional Quiet work and study space- Building teens their own dedicated Teen Space will allow for the creation of restful, relaxing communal quiet work and study space in the current teen area

For those who would like to leave a lasting mark on the Library, the development of the Youth Wing will offer many unique legacy and memorial naming opportunities. Supporters can honor loved ones or celebrate family milestones while contributing to spaces that will inspire learning, creativity, and connection for generations to come. For more information, contact Heather Matzel, FFL Executive Director, at hmatzel@fflib.org or (315) 637-6374 ext. 307.

  • A Lifelong Love

    “My experience at the Fayetteville Free Library makes me love libraries like when I was a child. I thank you for all that you guys do at the FFL!
    Carol Shoudy
    FFL Donor

  • FFL is Like Family

    I’m so grateful to have Fayetteville Free Library as a home and those who work here as a family.
    Debra Maffei
    FFL Donor

  • Striving for Excellence

    “I think the FFL staff are very creative, and they strive for excellence. This new addition is a great example of that!”
    Casey Cleary-Hammarstedt
    Village of Fayetteville Trustee