Full Text:

Library Poised To Open (Sometime) Next Week, Open House Is Set January 11

(with cuts & SIDEBAR... use KEY WORDS handicapped-access-Beres)

DOROTHY EVANS

On Monday, Cyrenius H. Booth Library reopening countdown begins.

Library workers and watchers alike are keeping a weather eye trained on a

five-day "window of opportunity" for library reopening that starts the week of

January 5 and will surely culminate in a successful Grand Reopening and Open

House on Sunday, January 11.

In fact, this final countdown week is something the town has waited to

celebrate since "way back" in June 1996.

Now, 17 months after the renovation and addition project began, Library

Director Janet Woycik and the Board of Directors are poised to open the doors

of the historic Main Street facility once more.

Mrs Woycik said last week that Monday, January 5, was the earliest date that

they could conceivably be ready for business, but she qualified that statement

by saying she thought it might be "nearer to the end of the week than the

beginning."

Either way, a visitor to the Booth Library on Monday, December 29, could see

many hopeful signs that an opening was imminent. Signs of readiness went well

beyond the granting of an official certificate of occupancy and the sight of

bookshelves fully stocked.

Hopeful Signs

Staff members were brushing up on circulation desk routines and learning new

ropes with the security system during informal training sessions with Marian

Walker.

Electricians and volunteers were positioning ladders, checking hardware and

rehanging chandeliers in the main hall and reading rooms.

A carpenter was refitting the newspaper file cabinet drawers with new

dividers.

Historic town maps and photographs had found their places on the new walls

surrounding the circulation desk.

Staff members were busily unpacking computers, setting them out on long

tables, untangling wires, ready to plug in.

Volunteer Bob Stokes emerged from a descending elevator onto the Main Floor

and smiled with satisfaction as he stepped out, pronouncing, "It works."

On Sunday, January 11, during the open house from 1 to 5 pm, any Newtowner who

is so inclined may park in the new parking lot or walk down Main Street and

retake possession of the Booth Library.

If they come early in the afternoon, shortly after 1 pm, they can watch town

officials and library board and staff members officially cut the ribbon at the

new south entrance.

And once inside, they may take tours of the historic and newly renovated

facilities, as well as tour the rear addition and greet staff members and

volunteers on hand to welcome them.

After that, it's all over but the shouting... and the checking out and reading

of books.

Gala Evening, January 10

For those who can't wait for Sunday's Open House to see what the new library

looks like, there is a preview opportunity happening the night before.

A gala celebration is planned Saturday evening, January 10, from 7 to 11 pm,

and attendees who have sent in reservations need only pay $35 for the

privilege of doing so in the company of other gala attendees (200 maximum).

Gala attendees will be served refreshments and catered hors d'oeuvres and

music will be provided throughout the evening.

To make an advance reservation, they should fill out and return the Gala

Reservation Card and send it to the Cyrenius H. Booth Library at 25 Main

Street, Newtown, CT 06804 along with a check made payable to the Cyrenius H.

Booth Library for $35 per person.

In the interest of serving as many people as would like to come, board members

have extended the Gala reservation date to Tuesday, January 6.