The Smithtown Library is a cornerstone of the community, dating back to 1907, when materials were housed in Judge Lawrence Smith's law office. The first permanent library building opened in 1912, and that building was moved across the street to its present location in 1950. The Smithtown Library system is the largest on Long Island, 10th largest in the New York State, and consists of the main Smithtown building and the Kings Park, Commack and upcoming Nesconset branches. The library's collection exceeds 495,000 books and other materials, and circulation totals around 847,000 materials each year. In 2001, Smithtown residents voted to separate the library from the Town of Smithtown. The library is now independent, operating under its own Board of Trustees and budget. In 2008, residents approved a $21 million renovation project to improve and expand the three existing library buildings and create a permanent Nesconset Branch in the abandoned Nesconset Armory building.