The South Norwalk Branch Library, Norwalk.
Connecticut's Library Heritage
Local citizens, hoping to create a public reading room, formed the South Norwalk Library and Reading Room Corporation in 1877. Their library of donated books was shelved in the rooms of the local Women’s Christian Temperance Union. In 1885, the association built a three-story commercial building in South Norwalk; the library was on the main floor and the rest of the building was rented out for income. In 1890, the association deeded its property to the City of South Norwalk and became a free public library, financed by a city tax.
In 1908 the directors applied for a Carnegie Foundation Grant to erect a library building and were awarded $20,000, which they used to build and occupy, in 1913, the library on West Washington Street. The gray brick building is a good example of the typical Carnegie Library, featuring the Classical Revival style, with symmetrical facades and columns flanking the original formal public entrance. The main floor is raised above street level to allow abundant daylight through large windows on the lower level. Inside, the layout is compact and efficient and includes a large room for public events.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the building is owned by the Second Taxing District in Norwalk and leased to the city. Norwalk had, until 1975, four independent libraries within its borders: Rowayton Library, East Norwalk Library, South Norwalk Library and Norwalk Library. In that year, the City of Norwalk absorbed the South Norwalk Library as a branch and took over the staff and operating expenses from the Second Taxing District.
A large addition was built in 1949 to the rear of the original structure (the original exterior wall is still visible inside and its distinctive curve is a major design feature). The 2007 addition and renovation has allowed us to upgrade entrances for safety, add an elevator and make the building handicapped accessible, and update mechanical systems.
A renovation was not a foregone conclusion; some people questioned the wisdom of pouring money into an old building when erecting a new one might be more practical. A mayoral task force was appointed to study the issue. The overwhelming conclusion from the community was that it was important to retain the building. There was a strong emotional attachment born of nine decades of identification with this library, this building and this location.
With that in mind, the overarching goal for the project was to retain as many original features as feasible. Marguerite Carnell Rodney, the architect’s director of historic preservation, worked closely with Valerio Giadone, the project architect, to make sure that we preserved the building and that the addition enhanced its historic features.
Some of the challenges included finding a match for the color and texture of the original buff-colored brick. Rather than replace a deteriorated wood cornice, we repaired it. Modern glass doors with metal frames that had long ago replaced the original wood entrance doors were themselves replaced with new wood doors that look much like the originals.
At the Washington Street entrance, a handsome interior staircase with a wood balustrade had been closed off for failure to meet building code. We added two new code-compliant staircases, allowing us to open the original as a convenience stair. A black and white terrazzo floor was discovered under the old, worn carpet. But since new carpet was already ordered, we recovered the area as planned. The original terrazzo remains intact, waiting to be rediscovered during a future renovation.
As often happens with buildings of this age, no original drawings exist; the design team didn’t know how the structure was designed prior to the beginning of the renovation. In fact, the building has an unusual structural system, with curved laminated beams that support the curved rear wall.
The biggest surprise was the original bathroom on the upper level, with its 1913 plumbing fixtures intact. It’s rare to find such an old bathroom in a public building, since most undergo more frequent renovations. Historians believe that it may be the first public restroom in South Norwalk.
Another Smithsonian-worthy find was the original coal furnace. Unused for decades, it was nicknamed “The Octopus” because of its many ducts and pipes. Removing it made possible the doubling of shelf space in the children’s library.
The project was plagued with fiscal concerns, the budget having been developed some six years prior to construction. As a result, the project was “value engineered” to within an inch of its life. Technology and furniture were eliminated from the budget, requiring the library board to undertake a fundraising campaign. Their effort came just shy of reaching the goal of $250,000 and brought in donations from many individuals and businesses, including one from Stew Leonard, Jr., for whose son the children’s library is named.
The completed project includes: an expanded Stew Leonard III Children’s Library, toddler computers, Easy Reader’s Room, Baywater Children’s Computer Lab, children’s activity room, teen room, adult computer lab, Friends of the Norwalk PL Community Room.
Come see the renovated South Norwalk Branch Library at the Libratects meeting on September 19 at 10 a.m. People involved in the design and construction of the library will be available to answer questions.
Reported by: Les Kozerowitz, Norwalk Public Library Director
Posted: 07.22.2007