The Next Chapter is Off
to a Good Start
The ceremonial
groundbreaking for the Jeanne L. Romano Library Annex took place on June 30,
2006 in the library garden. It was perfect summer morning and the garden was at
its summer best.
The ceremony was well
attended by local dignitaries, board members, staff, and most importantly,
members of the community who best represent the reason for the expansion of the
New Hartford Public Library.
The guests of honor, F.
Eugene Romano and his family, were there in force to stand in for Jeanne, a wife,
mother, and grandmother, and a lover of books. The new annex could not be more
aptly named, and the New Hartford library community will benefit greatly from the
support of the Romano family.
But
There is More to Do:
A GROWING NEED
THE LIBRARY
EXPANSION
PUBLIC CAMPAIGN
HOW YOU CAN HELP
TO MAKE A PLEDGE
BACK TO GALLERY
Since it
was constructed in 1998-1999, the New Hartford Public Library has become an
enormously popular community resource. Circulation has doubled over the past
few years, and demand for the facility's meeting, learning, and research
facilities has exploded beyond all expectations.
This is a bona fide success story. But in order for Library to remain a
success, it must expand to accommodate the growing need for the valuable
services it provides.
Right now, our library faces serious physical limitations, including:
- Improved Access from the Parking Area
- Severely limited research space
- An extremely overcrowded Children's Room
- A single meeting space (capacity: 35 adults) to accommodate both
children's and adult programs
- Cramped Internet research workstations
- Limited space for quiet study
- No space for innovative new technology-based information resources
- Limited handicapped parking
- No wheelchair-accessible workstations
In short, we need a library that's right-sized for our community. That's
why it's time for us to write the next chapter in library services for New
Hartford.
Fortunately, there is an appropriate and affordable solution. The
Groundbreaking festivities began the construction phase of the Jeanne L.
Romano Library Annex, an 8,800 square foot, two-story expansion that will
comprise the final phase of the Library.
When the current library was in the planning stage, several studies
suggested we would need a 17,000 to 22,000 square foot facility to adequately
serve a community of this size — a projection that has proven remarkably
prescient, in light of the current situation. The new Jeanne L. Romano Annex
will bring Library in line with this reasonable standard and give New Hartford
the level of library services it needs... and deserves.
While the expansion will
represent a 90% increase in space over the current building, long-term
operating costs for this greatly expanded facility are projected to run just
20% over the current annual budget. At 2006 spending levels, this would
represent an increased cost of just $2.00 per resident for the year.
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THE LIBRARY EXPANSION WILL FEATURE:
- Rear entrance close to the parking lot. More handicapped parking.
- An elevator,
- More and larger meeting rooms.
- Expanded children's room with better separation from adult
facilities.
- More computer workstations with new equipment and improved privacy
- More space for quiet study with private study rooms,
- Expanded shelving and holding areas for books and various
collections.
- Enlarged reference area.
- Additional tables, chairs, and study carrels.
- More space for home schooling,
tutors, and literacy volunteers. Back
PUBLIC CAMPAIGN.
The new Jeanne L. Romano Library Annex will cost between $1.7 million
and $1.9 million to complete, including construction, equipment, and
furnishings. The good news is that the Library has already secured close to
$1.2 million in cash, grants, and pledges to fund this vital project,
including a major gift of $600,000 provided by F. Eugene Romano, John E Romano
and Linda Romano Petralia. (The annex will be named in memory of Eugene's late
wife, Jeanne L Romano.)
With the resources in place to proceed with construction, we have
entered the public phase of our capital campaign, encouraging the families,
businesses, and organizations that rely on this community resource to help us
close the remaining funding gap. Back
HOW YOU CAN HELP.
There are many ways to participate in making the Jeanne L. Romano Annex
a reality:
Gifts to NHPL may be made in a variety of forms, including: Cash,
Securities, Real Estate.
Some donors also choose to make a major gift to the campaign through
planned giving of property or investments.
For further options go to
Suggestions for Personal Giving
Donors may choose to make an extended commitment or pledge payable over
three to five years. (Pledges received during the period of the Building Fund
Drive will be credited in full toward the campaign.)
However you choose to take part,
please join us in supporting the Building Fund...and help us write the
long-anticipated concluding chapter of the New Hartford Public Library story.
For more about giving to the New
Hartford Public Library click here.
New Hartford Public Library is a 501-C-3 (not-for-profit) corporation.
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TO MAKE A PLEDGE TODAY.
You can either:
- Drop by the Library for a pledge card, or
- Send your contribution to the:
NHPL Building Fund
PO Box 461
New Hartford, NY 13413
Click here to print a
gift form.
For more information, call the Library at (315) 733-1535
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