Date: Fri 01-Dec-1995

Publication: Bee

Author: KAAREN

Quick Words:

library-construction-move

Full Text:

Library Looks For Temporary Quarters

B Y K AAREN V ALENTA

For more than a year, while the construction and renovations are in progress

at the Booth Library, Newtown residents will be going to a new location to

check out books and use other library services.

The library's Board of Trustees decided Tuesday night to move out for the

entire construction period if a suitable location can be found to set up a

temporary library.

"We can move out for the last two and one half to three months or for the

entire time - either way everything has to be moved out," explained Library

Director Janet Woycik. The $4.1 million project includes $25,000 which will be

needed to pay for the services of a moving company skilled in moving

libraries, she said.

Mrs Woycik said the $3,169,000 construction contract includes both moving

options but the cost is less if the library moves out for the entire time.

During the move, antiques and collections will be placed in storage. Furniture

that is slated to be refinished will be sent to a company in New Jersey which

was recommended by the library architect. And the books must be crated, moved,

uncrated, then crated again for the move back into the library on Main Street.

"It's a massive job," she said.

The library director recommended that the library move for the entire

construction period because once construction begins "there will be

construction debris and dirt everywhere." The parking lot at the rear of the

building also will be closed.

William Lavery, chairman of the board's building committee, said First

Selectman Bob Cascella is attempting to help the board find a temporary

location. Such sites as Fairfield Hills Hospital, the recently vacated

Dual-Lite plant on Simm Lane and the Queen Street shopping center have been

suggested.

Mr Lavery said the library architect is getting three sets of plans ready to

submit to the town's building department to obtain construction permits.

Another set must go to the State Library Commission which has promised a

$350,000 grant.

Bids must be taken for asbestos removal from the boiler room, Mr Lavery said,

and the first selectman must interview and hire a clerk of the works to

oversee the entire library project.

"The parking lot has to close and we have to find a temporary alternative

parking area until the library moves out," he said.

"There is still so much left to do. If you figure we've climbed 50 rungs up a

ladder, we still have 100 rungs left to go."

There was no discussion during the public portion of the meeting on the

lawsuits filed by Edwin and Jeanne Baumer, who live next door to the library

and want to stop the expansion project. (See separate story.)

But there was considerable discussion over the board's annual fund drive. The

board eventually voted 9-3 to hold its annual fund drive in December because

revenue is needed to support the library's operating budget for next year.

"In most communities the entire community supports the library (through

taxes)," Mr Lavery said. "In Newtown, we run a very unique operation. Our

annual budget is made up of fundraising, income from the Hawley Trust and an

appropriation in the town budget. That's the way it has always been done."

"We just spent $4.1 million to build a building but we still have to run the

library," board member Chris Spiro said. "There will be a $30,000 hole in our

revenue if we don't do the fundraising."

"We shouldn't be asking for money at Christmas," board member Jeanne Honan

objected. "I feel very strongly that it shouldn't be done now - perhaps in a

gala later."

But other board members disagreed.

"We've established a pattern of doing this in December every year," said Kathy

Geckle. "If we go back to the Legislative Council and say we are $30,000 short

in operating funds, it won't look very good."

"People who are looking for tax deductible contributions do it in November and

December, not in January, February or March," Kevin Tepas said.

Jim Larin agreed. "Mailboxes are full of requests in December because this is

when people contribute. People who are in the mood to contribute are most

likely to do it now."