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Library's Expansion | Newspaper Articles
Library given a long last look
Anna L. Griffin, Telegram & Gazette, June 26, 2005
LEOMINSTER - A final and fond farewell was bid Tuesday to
the Leominster Public Library.
The event was held for children and their parents at the
library's 30 West St. location. The event featured games and
other activities for the children, as well as refreshments
in an otherwise empty library. More than 75 people attended
the event held between 4 and 7 p.m."It certainly looks a
little strange up here, without the shelves and the books,"
said Susan T. Shelton, library director.
"But we wanted to hold an event here to show the children
what the library looks like without the books," Mrs. Shelton
said. "It's a chance for them to say goodbye to this old
space."
Among those attending the event was Stephanie White, age 3
and Katie King, age 3 who took turns at one of several piñatas
used during the celebration.
Both Stephanie and Katie said they were having a good time
at the farewell party.
"It looks good," Stephanie said when asked what she thought
of the library without the shelves or books.
Eydie King, mother of Katie, said she enjoys bringing her
children to the library. She said she has been to the
temporary location.
"It's not the same as being here," she said, referring to
the 30 West St. location. "I am looking forward to the
construction being over with and having the library back
here."
The library moved to a temporary location at Crossroads
Office Park, 690 Mechanic St. in mid-May. The move was
needed because of an expansion project at the 30 West St.
location. The relocation could last 18 months while the
construction, renovation and expansion of the existing
library at 30 West St. takes place.
The expansion and renovation of the library will double the
size of the facility. Earlier this month, bids were opened
for the project. Fontaine Bros. of Springfield submitted the
low bid of $9,077,000. The contractor also built the Sky
View Middle School in Leominster and is currently working on
the new Ritter Memorial Library in Lunenburg.
A public groundbreaking ceremony to mark construction on the
project will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, July 1, in front of
30 West St.
"There will be a brief speaker's program with
representatives from the city, our library board, the
Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, all talking
about the expansion and renovation project," Mrs. Shelton
said.
Mrs. Shelton said the construction at the location probably
won't be very visible for a short time. "There are some
things they have to do inside the building before they start
the actual demolition of this portion of the building.
People have been very patient about this whole process, and
we ask them to be a little patient for a little while
longer."
She said everyone involved with the project would like to
have it completed by the fall of 2006; 2006 marks the 150th
anniversary of library service in the city.
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