- Details
- Category: Current Issue
Let the
fund-raising
begin
POMFRET --- ThePomfretPublicLibraryispoisedfor itsfirstmajoradditioninmorethan40 years.In November2018, thelibrarywas awardedaCTStatePublicLibraryConstructionGrantinthe amountof $421,000. Itisnow readytoembarkon aCapitalCampaignwithagoaltoraise $500,000.
ThePomfretPublicLibraryhas beenacommunityinstitutionfor approximately280 years, openingas thefirstlibraryinEasternConnecticutin1739. Thecurrentlibrarybuildingwas constructedin1911 by Mrs. GeorgeBradley,inmemoryof herhusband, on landdonatedby BenjaminGrosvenor. Sincethattimethebuildinghas witnessedtwo expansions.Thefirstwas in 1976 when thechildren’sroomwas added,thankstoagiftfromtheestateof AbileneAverill, andthesecondin1994 withtheadditionof theSarahAicherMemorialGardenandDeck.
Thenew expansion,whichwilladd2,000 squarefeettothelibrary,effectivelydoublingitssize, willserveas anew hub for thecommunity.TheincreasedlibraryspacewillprovidethePomfret communitywithrooms for creativeandeducationalgrowth, communitymeetings,andother socialgatherings.
AccordingtoLibraryDirectorLaurieBell,thecurrentfacilityisoperatingbeyonditscapacity. “Thislittlelibraryprovidesafulllevelof servicewithaverysmallstaffinaverysmallspace. Althoughwe haveno meetingroom,we hostseveralprogramsandeventseveryweek.Each time,thestaffhas torearrangefurnitureandshelving.Sometimeswe havetocloseoff asection of thelibraryaltogether,makingitinaccessibletoindividualsbrowsing for books.”
The20,000-volumelibraryhas amembershipof morethan1,600 patrons,averagesmorethan50 visitorsperday,andisopen32 hours eachweek.
TheCapitalCampaignfund-raisingeffortisbeingspearheadedby attorneyKateCerrone,who is servingas thegeneralchairperson.PomfretresidentsMarcandMary Archambaultareassisting Cerroneas thecampaignvicechairpersons.LibraryBoardof TrusteesChairpersonGinger
LusaandformerboardmemberAnne Millerareintegralpartsof theleadershipteam.
“We’veassembledagreatgroup of leadersandarecurrentlyinvitingpeopletoassistus inour effortstocontactindividuals,businesses andorganizationswho canjointheeffort.Our committeehas worked diligentlyinpreparingfor thiscampaign,”saidCerrone.“I’mvery confidentthatwithaconcertedeffortwe willreachour goal.It’s anexcitingtimefor thelibrary andthecommunityof Pomfret,”she added.
A kickoffevent,whichisopentothepublic,isat 5:30 p.m. Feb. 6 atGrill37 inPomfret.Theplansfor theprojectandfund-raisingeffortwillbesharedwith the publicduringabriefpresentation.Lightrefreshments,includingacashbar,will beavailable.If interestedinattending,pleasecallthelibraryat: 860-928-3475 or registeronlineatwww.pomfretlibrary.org.
“Thisprojectisso excitingfor thetown of Pomfret.Librarieshaveahugeimpacton communitiesandthisprojectwilltrulybenefitour region.It’s excitingtoseepeople’s enthusiasmandgenerosityastheylearnaboutthisexpansion. We'rehopingforalargeturnout atthekickoffandareeagertosharethevisionwithtownfriends,"saidMaryArchambault.