At the State Library Board Meeting held on November 27, 2006, the following construction grants were approved.
Town: East Windsor
Library: Library Association of Warehouse Point
Type of Project: Code Compliance
Grant Award: $14,500
Project Description
Two aspects of the library will be brought into code compliance. The first will be to purchase an outdoor fireproof book
return to replace the current indoor return that is not fireproof. The second will be lead paint abatement on the exterior
clapboards.
Town: Killingly
Library: Killingly Public Library
Type of Project: Energy Conservation
Grant Award: $33,333
Project Description:
During 2005 and 2006 the Library’s HVAC units and duct systems were inspected, with special attention being paid to the VAV
air distribution units. Seventeen Tuttle & Bailey VAV units were balanced by FMC Company in July 2006. Upon inspection of
the systems, FMC recommended that the VAV units be replaced as well as the rooftop Trane units. Insulation along the ductwork
is deteriorating and must also be replaced, and there is a considerable loss of cooling air. The air conditioning units are
functioning at approximately 40% efficiency. The VAV units will be overhauled and recalibrated to better respond to the control
system. The existing NOVAR control system is not functioning properly and should be updated. The Town wants to replace the
air conditioning units with variable speed (variable frequency) direct drive air handlers and variable speed controllers.
This will bring the energy efficiency to the 85% to 95% range.
Town: Marlborough
Library: Richmond Memorial Library
Type of Project: Renovation and Addition
Grant Award: $500,000
Project Description
Since the Richmond Memorial Library opened in 1987, their collection has more than doubled, and all operations have been computerized.
The number of customers has reached almost 70,000, and the library has the highest per capita circulation in the Hartford
area (138,206). More customers, more use, and more demand for services impact the library each year. The current library building
does not meet the ever-increasing space needs for meetings or programs. They can neither adequately shelter the collection
nor provide the variety of spaces that library users seek. The building is not ADA compliant. The project will triple the
library size on its present site. This addition will provide for a larger children’s area, dividable meeting room, quiet study
rooms, conference/group study rooms, and seating for almost 100. Increased shelving areas will provide space for nearly 60,000
items, 18,000 non-print items, 125 magazine subscriptions, and adequate space will be created for computers and RFID library
materials management system. Staff will have a separate break room and locker area as well as restroom.
Town: Middlebury
Library: Middlebury Public Library
Type of Project: Renovation and Addition
Grant Award: $500,000
Project Description
The Town of Middlebury is undergoing a large growth spurt with over 900 additional residences planned which will place increasing
demands on the services the library currently provides. In a series of focus groups held within the past year, the residents
of Middlebury articulated their general satisfaction with the library, but strong opinions were voiced as to the lack of a
YA area, the need for additional public meeting spaces that could be used by individuals or small groups, and a reconfigured
children’s area. In addition, the Library Board accepted a bequest for a quiet reading room. The community particularly
stated their need for current information and the ability to continue lifelong learning on a broad array of topics. The proposed
addition will include a separate YA area, larger meeting areas, a reconfigured children’s library and a quiet reading room.
The current library of 15,640 sq. ft. will be expanded by 7,500 sq. ft. The acreage of the current library site is large
enough to accommodate a larger building and additional parking. The newer expanded facility will provide necessary and up
to date technologies and resources, meaningful programs, and adequate facilities that will enable people to meet and interact
with others in their community and participate in public discourse about community issues.
Town: North Branford
Library: Edward Smith Library
Type of Project: Renovation and Addition
Grant Award: $500,000
Project Description
For over sixty years, the Town of North Branford has been served by two public libraries, one in each of its two population
centers. The Atwater Memorial Library in North Branford center (1943) and the Edward Smith Library in the village of Northford
were last expanded in 1967. Now both buildings are clearly inadequate to serve their patrons and have serious deficiencies
that must be addressed. Both libraries need additions to double their size in order to provide enough space for current collections
and services and future growth. Neither building has handicapped access to its children’s department on the lower level. Neither
has a meeting room, program area, or quiet study area. Heating and air conditioning must be completely replaced, and parking
needs to be expanded. After thorough study, the Town Council and Library Board have agreed on a plan to expand and renovate
both the Atwater and Smith Libraries. The Town will work on the Smith Library first, ensuring that one library will always
be open to the public. Smith’s addition will increase its size from 5,200 to over 10,600 square feet. The project will include
an elevator, meeting room, children’s program area, study and reading rooms, new rest rooms, staff offices, increased parking,
space for teens, and new furnishings. All are planned to serve the population of Northford for at least the next twenty years.
Town: Ridgefield
Library: Ridgefield Library Association
Type of Project: Renovation and Addition
Grant Award: $500,000
Project Description
The 25,000 sq. ft. Ridgefield Library is comprised of numerous additions made over the past 103 years. Except for a program
room added in 1990, the building footprint has stayed largely the same since 1984. Since then, the town’s population has grown
22%, and the number of cardholders is up 48%. Circulation has grown 264% and program attendance 271%. The collection, including
many new formats, has grown 148%. Computers are now vital for staff and patrons and require space for workstations and servers.
Many collections are capped due to lack of shelf space; children’s programs routinely have waiting lists; mechanical systems
are aging and inefficient; several staff people work in hallways; portions of the building fall short of code requirements
and are not well-suited to current usage. The existing building will be demolished, except for the 5040 sq. ft. 1903 section,
which will be renovated. A new addition on the existing site and an adjoining plot owned by the Library will result in a total
of 43,930 sq. ft. The new Ridgefield Library will enjoy a separate teen space, additional program space; more appropriate
and accessible arrangement of collections; expanded computer availability; improved staff work space; and more efficient building
operations. Due to restructuring made possible by the new floor plan, staff will be increased by only 1 full-time and 2 part-time
positions (total 28.7 FTEs). The capital campaign goal includes increasing endowment funds to offset additional operating
costs.
Town: Seymour
Library: Seymour Public Library
Type of Project: Energy Conservation
Grant Award: $67,333
Project Description
The Seymour Public Library will replace outdated and severely damaged air conditioning units currently located at the library.
Because of the costs of constant mechanical repairs, the age of the system, and possible risk of damage to books due to fluctuations
in temperature throughout the building, the units must be replaced. This project will address some of the recommendations
made in an energy audit conducted by the local power company. By replacing the larger outdated units with 6 smaller units,
the library will have better temperature control, and the smaller units will offer energy efficiency to help with reducing
soaring energy costs. Unlike the existing units, each of the 6 smaller units will have its own thermostat. This will make
it possible to better regulate the units and maintain a constant temperature throughout the building.
Town: Somers
Library: Somers Public Library
Type of Project: Renovation and Addition
Grant Award: $500,000
Project Description
The Somers Public Library is a 10,000 square foot facility constructed in 1988 on the school campus at Ninth District Road.
Despite its relatively young age, the library has become deficient in many areas. Essentially a large open room, the library
has inadequate meeting/program space, limited staff areas, no quiet study, no defined reference or teen areas, no separated
children’s area, no storage for supplies, and no space for the future growth of collections including changing technologies
and the demand for new multimedia formats. Somers’ population has increased annually (a 5.3% growth in a ten-year period)
and continued growth is expected in the next two decades. For each major functional area within the library, space is no longer
available for the original intended use. The Town will expand and modify the current building, adding nearly 10,000 square
feet; and will renovate and refurbish existing space; increase the capacities, distribution, and controls of HVAC systems;
and improve the library interior and exterior for safety, code updates, and security. Adding to the current building will
address all of the inadequacies listed above. The proposed addition will provide improved work and traffic flow in all areas.
At the completion of the project, the library will provide sufficient staffing, convenient, flexible space, and adequate facilities
for all the resources that are currently needed, as well as services needed to meet the expectations of Somers residents for
the next twenty years.
All these grants are pending State Bond Commission approval.
