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Library's Expansion | Newspaper Articles
Library’s campaign soars high
Fundraising halfway to $1.2 million goal
Anna L. Griffin, Montachusett T&G, November 5, 2006
LEOMINSTER— Support for the Leominster Public Library’s
fundraising campaign has reached the $700,000 mark. The goal
is $1.2 million.
“We’re very pleased with the response from the public,” said
Susan Shelton, director of the library. “The public has been
very supportive of us throughout this entire process.”
The library’s fundraising campaign recently received the
first installment of a $10,000 donation by Hudson Savings
Bank.
“We have a branch in the city and we like to get involved
with the communities that we’re doing business in,” said
Kenneth R. Simms, vice president and director of marketing
for Hudson Savings Bank. The bank has a branch on Lancaster
Street.
“We know how important the library is to the people of the
community,” Mr. Simms said. “It’s something we felt we
needed to show our support for.”
Ms. Shelton said work on the library is 80 percent complete,
and a spring 2007 move-in date is being eyed.
The donation was accepted on the steps of the original
library, considered by many to be an architectural gem in
the downtown area.
The two-story Roman brick structure with limestone trim was
built in 1910 with partial funding from Andrew Carnegie. It
is part of the Monument Square Historic District, listed in
the National Register of Historic Places.
A 10,000-square-foot warehouse-like addition was opened in
1966.
In May 2005, the library moved to its current location at
Crossroad Offices Park, 690 Mechanic St. A July
groundbreaking was held that marked the official start of
the project. The project will expand the library to 44,513
square feet with 55 adjacent parking spaces.
This was achieved by renovating the 1910 building and
constructing a new 34,434-square-foot addition. Entrances to
the building will be on both West and Pearl streets.
In addition to money from the state and local government to
cover the costs of construction, the library has undertaken
a private fundraising effort to pay for such things as
furnishings.
Information on any aspect of the project, or on how to
donate, can be obtained by visiting the Web site
www.leominsterlibrary.org.
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