Future Action Could Fund Library Expandion
WESTBROOK – The unique treasures on the walls of Marty’s Seafood were auctioned off on June 17 as the restaurant changes its ownership and atmosphere to Ray’s Seafood and Grill.
Ray Pantalena, the restaurant’s new owner, graciously donated the auction’s proceeds to the Westbrook Public Library.
Items auctioned off included a mermaid with antlers for wings, lanterns, harpoons, an assortment of mounted lobsters, crabs, and other crustaceans, and other nautical memorabilia.
“It went well, there was a nice turnout of people,” Pantalena said, estimating about 50-60 people donated on hundreds of items.
Pantalena originally wanted to use the money to buy children’s books for the Westbrook Public Library but director Lewis Daniels said the library has plenty of children’s books but not enough room for them.
“We raised $2,256 from the auction to go to the Friends of the Westbrook Library Building Improvement Fund,” Daniels said.
Monies from the fund will be used to expand the library if the town approves it, Daniels said.
The mood of Westbrook this year where citizens passed a budget on the first referendum is different last year when it took five referendums for an approved budget, making it the last Connecticut municipality to do so.
Daniels is optimistic this changed mood will mean taxpayers will approve the project at a referendum.
“I think the town turned a page and is ready to look at the future, it is a very positive thing that the budget got passed,” Daniels said.
The proposed expansion of the 1977 library would add 7,328 square feet to the existing 11,760 square foot building allowing the library to accommodate a growth in collection and services for an additional twenty years, Daniels said.
The expansion would include a new and enlarged children’s room, a larger basement for future needs, an elevator and ADA compliant staircase, an increase of seating capacity, and eliminate current overcrowding in computer and collection areas, Daniels said.
The project would involve a complete renovation of the existing building upgrading electrical systems, and communication and data systems.
It would also involve replacing roofing, the septic system, mechanical systems, windows and would redo the parking area with improved exterior lighting.
Daniels said the lower level community room is a “valuable resource for the community” used on a regular basis by about six different organizations along with the parks and recreation department and for library programs.
“Generally there is spillover” from those attending functions in the community room, Daniels said, and the elevator would allow better access for those using the room to visit the library upstairs afterwards.
Some question the need of a library since more are using the Internet and other technologies, but Daniels said “people will always want access to books” and the library “serves as a service agency for people to ask questions and get referrals.”
“I think libraries will always be that access point even if it’s an access point for computers since technology is an expensive thing and we want to provide services for everyone,” Daniels said.
Others question whether usage is increasing at the library but Daniels said it is stating, “we are averaging about 130 people a day during the summer,” and that children’s circulation, interlibrary loan, reference usage, CD circulation, DVD circulation, computer usage, and the number of new borrowers are all increasing.
“It’s not unusual for libraries to look to expand,” Daniels said, “A lot of towns along the shoreline expanded or will be expanded in the future.”
According to Daniels, Old Saybrook and Deep River had recent expansions while Essex is working on an expansion.
If the project goes forward, Daniels said, the library would be open an additional five hours each week resulting in it being open 45 hours a week.
Daniels predicted increased hours would allow the library to open at 9 a.m. instead of 10 a.m. Tuesday through Saturday based on high morning library use.
“I feel there is support for the library and substantial support of the project. Let the townspeople decide because we spent a lot of time preparing,” Daniels said.
The future of the library expansion project will be discussed at the July 6 Board of Selectmen meeting at 7 p.m. at the Mulvey Center.
If the project does not go forward, Daniels said, funds from the auction will go towards improving the existing building and library hours will remain the same.
The 2006/2007 budget allows the library to receive $105,000 for a new roof and two new air conditioning units if the project is not approved.
If the project is approved, the $105,000 will be used as part of the project.
Ray Pantalena, the restaurant’s new owner, graciously donated the auction’s proceeds to the Westbrook Public Library.
Items auctioned off included a mermaid with antlers for wings, lanterns, harpoons, an assortment of mounted lobsters, crabs, and other crustaceans, and other nautical memorabilia.
“It went well, there was a nice turnout of people,” Pantalena said, estimating about 50-60 people donated on hundreds of items.
Pantalena originally wanted to use the money to buy children’s books for the Westbrook Public Library but director Lewis Daniels said the library has plenty of children’s books but not enough room for them.
“We raised $2,256 from the auction to go to the Friends of the Westbrook Library Building Improvement Fund,” Daniels said.
Monies from the fund will be used to expand the library if the town approves it, Daniels said.
The mood of Westbrook this year where citizens passed a budget on the first referendum is different last year when it took five referendums for an approved budget, making it the last Connecticut municipality to do so.
Daniels is optimistic this changed mood will mean taxpayers will approve the project at a referendum.
“I think the town turned a page and is ready to look at the future, it is a very positive thing that the budget got passed,” Daniels said.
The proposed expansion of the 1977 library would add 7,328 square feet to the existing 11,760 square foot building allowing the library to accommodate a growth in collection and services for an additional twenty years, Daniels said.
The expansion would include a new and enlarged children’s room, a larger basement for future needs, an elevator and ADA compliant staircase, an increase of seating capacity, and eliminate current overcrowding in computer and collection areas, Daniels said.
The project would involve a complete renovation of the existing building upgrading electrical systems, and communication and data systems.
It would also involve replacing roofing, the septic system, mechanical systems, windows and would redo the parking area with improved exterior lighting.
Daniels said the lower level community room is a “valuable resource for the community” used on a regular basis by about six different organizations along with the parks and recreation department and for library programs.
“Generally there is spillover” from those attending functions in the community room, Daniels said, and the elevator would allow better access for those using the room to visit the library upstairs afterwards.
Some question the need of a library since more are using the Internet and other technologies, but Daniels said “people will always want access to books” and the library “serves as a service agency for people to ask questions and get referrals.”
“I think libraries will always be that access point even if it’s an access point for computers since technology is an expensive thing and we want to provide services for everyone,” Daniels said.
Others question whether usage is increasing at the library but Daniels said it is stating, “we are averaging about 130 people a day during the summer,” and that children’s circulation, interlibrary loan, reference usage, CD circulation, DVD circulation, computer usage, and the number of new borrowers are all increasing.
“It’s not unusual for libraries to look to expand,” Daniels said, “A lot of towns along the shoreline expanded or will be expanded in the future.”
According to Daniels, Old Saybrook and Deep River had recent expansions while Essex is working on an expansion.
If the project goes forward, Daniels said, the library would be open an additional five hours each week resulting in it being open 45 hours a week.
Daniels predicted increased hours would allow the library to open at 9 a.m. instead of 10 a.m. Tuesday through Saturday based on high morning library use.
“I feel there is support for the library and substantial support of the project. Let the townspeople decide because we spent a lot of time preparing,” Daniels said.
The future of the library expansion project will be discussed at the July 6 Board of Selectmen meeting at 7 p.m. at the Mulvey Center.
If the project does not go forward, Daniels said, funds from the auction will go towards improving the existing building and library hours will remain the same.
The 2006/2007 budget allows the library to receive $105,000 for a new roof and two new air conditioning units if the project is not approved.
If the project is approved, the $105,000 will be used as part of the project.
