Seven months after a historic storm devastated the Smithtown Library, the building is finally moving toward reopening to the public - at least partially.

If everything goes according to plan, library officials tell News 12 they hope to open the doors to the first floor of the building by the end of April.

However, the lower level remains almost entirely empty after 8 feet of water badly flooded the area last summer.

Work is currently underway to rebuild that area, but the library's director says that will take at least a year.

The estimated cost of the cleanup and repairs is $21 million.

Library officials say they have been in contact with state and FEMA representatives, and are confident they will be reimbursed for a large part of the cost.