House Republican Press Release

 

 

 

January 27, 2006

Press Office: 860-240-8700

 

Gov. Rell, Rep. Ferrari: $500,000 Grant Okayed for New Hartford Public Library

 

The State Bond Commission has approved a $500,000 grant to build a two-story, 10,000 square foot addition to the New Hartford Public Library, Governor M. Jodi Rell and state Representative Richard F. Ferrari, R- 62nd District, announced today. The Bond Commission approved the funding at its monthly meeting today (Friday, January 27th). 

“This library is badly in need of more elbow room,” Governor Rell said.  “Right now, library programs are held in large open areas in the adult and children’s sections of the library and many programs can only be held when the library is closed.  These funds will create new learning space and allow various library functions to relocate.  As a result, existing programs can expand and thrive and New Hartford residents will no longer feel as if they have outgrown their library.  This is an excellent long-term solution for this growing town.”

“A modern, well-equipped library is one of the most important services a community can offer its citizens,” said state Representative Richard F. Ferrari, R-62nd District, whose district includes New Hartford. “Students, parents and seniors constantly make use of its resources to help themselves participate fully in today’s rapidly-evolving economic climate. The addition and upgrades this grant will help finance will enable the library to continue to meet the growing needs of the people of New Hartford for years to come.”

The addition will allow the library, which is located at 10 Central Avenue, to increase shelving capacity from the current level of 43,000 volumes to 60,000 volumes. 

The new library addition will contain the following spaces:

·         A storytelling / crafts room

·         A program / concert space

·         A storage area

·         An HVAC space

·         Two community rooms divided by a movable wall

·         A Friends’ book sale storage room

·         A gallery / hallway

·         An elevator

 “These improvements should provide the extra space to meet the needs of staff and residents,” Governor Rell said.  “All across the state, we are taking a close look at our local libraries to see where improvements are needed and where long-term fixes can be made.  Our libraries nourish creativity.  They open our minds.  It is our obligation to preserve them so that our children and grandchildren may reap the same benefits from this resource as we have.”