Buildng Project Update – August 2023
The building project at Pomfret Public Library is still in the works, but construction is postponed until spring 2024.
Pomfret Public Library was awarded a CT State Public Library Construction Grant of $421,800 in 2018. We raised matching funds, the State Bond Commission approved the funding, and we signed a grant contract in February 2022. We then hired the architectural firm of Silver, Petrucelli + Associates and, after spending many months working with them to fine tune our design and work out the details, they came to us with an updated cost estimate. Unfortunately, with post-pandemic construction cost increases and unexpected work that the engineers felt was necessary in the original building, the current estimate is more than twice what we originally planned for and our available funds were insufficient.
The Pomfret Public Library Board of Trustees and Building Committee made the reluctant but necessary decision to forfeit our 2018 grant, reapply for a 2023 Public Library Construction Grant with our revised cost estimate, and raise additional matching funds as needed. The delay in construction is disappointing, but we are confident that we will be able to bring our building plans to fruition in 2024.
We are very grateful for the widespread support for this project and look forward to increasing our library services to the community in the near future.
Public libraries now provide services, resources and technology that didn’t exist when Pomfret Public Library was built! Lending books is still our stock-in-trade, but there is a new emphasis on group learning experiences, creativity, and community events that necessitates meeting room spaces, technology, equipment and furnishings.
The planned addition to Pomfret Public Library includes about 2000 sq. ft of meeting room space for groups of 8 to 60 people. This space will be available for programs and events sponsored by the library and by other community organizations.
Improvements include:
Lounge & café: space to relax or have a quiet conversation
Conference Room & Archives: business & board meetings, research the archives of the Pomfret Historical Society
Great Room: meetings, concerts, classes, movies, lectures, poetry, workshops…
Activity Space: a Story Time/group play/Maker Space equipped for art, crafts, games, STEAM
Restrooms: two private, accessible, unisex family restrooms
Art gallery: current and retrospective exhibits of local talent
Patio: extending the Great Room outside to the existing deck, gardens, and walking trail
Rooms available for booking after-hours: meeting space for local organizations, boards and clubs
Technology: all rooms fully equipped with computers, fiber internet, wifi, projection and sound
The Basics
- The town was awarded a grant from the CT State Library that will cover half of the projected construction costs.
- The addition will be to the south side of the library.
- The new space is designed for group meetings and activities. The existing space will remain much the same, but with improved access to the collections.
- We have a fund raising goal of $500,000.
- We hope to begin construction in early 2023
- details of the building project
- how you can contribute