The Putnam Public Library is very happy to be in its new home in the Putnam Municipal Complex since reopening there Sept. 20.  Two features in particular in the new library were purchased with funds from memorial donors who had a strong belief in the importance of a healthy, vibrant library.
The children’s circulation desk was designed for the new space out of the same materials as the adult desk, but more rounded and whimsical. The children’s circulation desk was funded using part of a bequest made by the estate of John Markis to the library in 2009.  Markis and his wife Lucinda were teachers in the local area who taught at Ellis Tech and The Woodstock Academy. The Library Board of Trustees decided to buy the desk in memory of Markis in honor of the many years that he had educated the youth in our community.
The tree mural in the children’s department was also funded by memorial donations from some of the library’s well-loved patrons.  The tree theme was suggested to the architect by library staff to celebrate the “Last Green Valley” aspect of this area and the theme is extended to the art on the end panels of the shelving units. The frog in the right hand bottom corner of the mural honors the memory of Shannon Labonte, a special young woman who was a voracious library user and local daycare teacher.  Shannon’s family joined together in fund-raising activities and donated a good portion of the funds to the library for the mural.
Other memorials used for the mural are from Joe and Jane Flynn (Library Board member), Ray LeDuc (Library Board member), Marillyn Mayer, Mary O’Leary (Friends of the Library member), Sue McNally Everson (loyal library patron), Mary Child (Putnam teacher), Walter Euskas (veteran) and Jeannette Laurion (charter member of the Aspinock Historical Center).
While there are many things that are wonderful about the library’s new home, some of the older furniture is special and carries warm memories of the former library. The Library had some of the existing furniture refinished, such as the circa 1955 maple chairs and tables, which are being used in the new building.
Library Director Priscilla Colwell said, “The Putnam Public Library is proud of its history in the northeastern Connecticut community, and is thankful for the people who support the library in many ways. “
She said the memorial funds are all used and complete; however, “as we lose our patrons their family asks in the obituary that memorial donations be made to the library. We communicate with the family as the donations come in and send thank you notes to the donors. Donations are used in a way that the library needs at the time, but sometimes a family wants a certain thing (like books) and in that case we would put a bookplate in the books in memory of the person. It is all specific to the person and family. We miss our patrons who pass away, and generally have a good sense of who they were and what they would like!
"We are thankful for donations to the library and appreciate the strong belief in the importance of a healthy, vibrant library."
She added: “The public is invited to visit the new library at 200 School Street and the staff welcomes the opportunity to assist the community with services, reader’s advisory and technology. Library hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.  The library’s website is putnamlibrary.org and the telephone number is 860-963-6826.

..