The Newburgh Free Library is expanding its reach to the public at an unlikely location. YNN's Elaina Athans has more.

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NEWBURGH, N.Y. -- A new place soon opening inside the Newburgh Mall will let you walk out with a pile of stuff without paying a dollar. The Newburgh Free Library is bringing a branch to the shopping center.

"When they called us, we seized the opportunity," said Newburgh Free Library Director Muriel Verdibello.

A pretty good deal reached with the mall management: Six months free rent. But the library does have to put some money into the satellite space.

“We’ll be putting $30,000 to $50,000 into the books here," said Verdibello, who adds there's cash in the budget to pay for the start up.

Opening this branch inside the mall is a pilot program. The Newburgh Free Library signed just a one year lease and they're hoping in that about of time there's enough foot traffic coming into the store.

“We will put it to the voters whether to keep the branch and fund it properly the following year. So right now, we’re opening it with the money we got to see if it works," said Verdibello.

The branch will give Town and City of Newburgh residents options. There's only one library currently and its located along Grand Street in the city.

"It's definitely convenient. Convenience is very big especially because not everybody has their own vehicle," said Town of Newburgh resident Matt Hoey.

The location should be ready for the public mid-July. An exact date hasn't been nailed down just yet.