Connecticut's Library Heritage
by Adreana Scussel
Director: (Vacant)
Architect: Schoenhardt Architects, Simsbury
Construction Manager: Cutter Enterprises, Tolland
Total cost: $3.4 million
State grant: $500,000
Dedication: October 28, 2001
Size: 17,500 sq. ft.
Collection: 35,000 vols
Population: 13,000
It has been 29 years coming, our new Stafford Library. In December 1972, then library director Susanne Zschock "cites crowded facilities and urges change from a private to a public institution" at a meeting to discuss the future of the library. It was still being discussed in 1986 when Mary Louise Jensen made her first visit to Stafford as part of her new job as the Connecticut State Library's building consultant.
Stafford Library began as a reading club in the 1870s. Thanks to several bequests, including that of its namesake donor, it opened its doors as a public library in 1896 as the Arba G. Hyde Memorial Library. That ivy-covered brick Victorian building overlooks Hyde Park in the center of town. Through the years, the collection grew and various rooms took on changing service functions until the 4500 sq. ft. facility burst at the seams with bookcases on landings and miscellaneous storage crammed everywhere-including an upstairs bathroom. A room off the circulation desk area, with a fireplace and stained glass windows, served as the director's office, technical services work space, desk space for two staff members, and lunchroom!
Finally, in late 1999, a building committee was organized, and on October 28, 2001 the new 17,500 sq. ft. facility was dedicated. Before entering the new building, many people look down to examine the engraved memorial bricks paving the entrance, seeking the brick that commemorates their donation. The pavement was, and continues to be, a project of the Friends group. Upon entering, they raise their heads to view the majestic atrium, which illumines an extensive circulation desk spanning the width of the lobby. The sight line follows an impressive barrel vault to the reading area and the multi-windowed alcove. Our expanded space allows for more functions, and the community has become more involved in their library. We now have a curved, illuminated display unit to the right of the entrance, where local exhibits are booked on a monthly schedule. A program room, the boardroom, and a coffee bar (soon to be operational) can be booked for meetings and other functions. The program room seats 81 and the boardroom 25.
The library now boasts a history and genealogy room, two study rooms, a young adult area, and lots of comfortable seating throughout. There are eight study carrels, and computer workstations have increased from two to eight.
The children's department is more popular than ever. A children's program room seats 24, and a cube "castle" stores easy-reading books attractively. Mothers reading to their children are frequently in evidence, seated in various comfy spaces throughout. Should Mother Nature call, a Lilliputian lavatory is right at hand. There has been an increase in attendance for children's programs with demands for more, especially evening programs.
Increased use of the library is evident in the circulation figures for the month of November, the first complete statistic available as of this writing, up a thousand items over the same month the previous year. Registrations have increased as well. The new library is in the town's public school complex, which has brought us a new and expanding clientele. Joggers stop in as do those participating in evening school events.
Demand for more evening hours and Sunday opening have resulted. At present, the library is open two nights a week and on Saturday. Suggestion box requests call for "more movies and good books." We hope to rise to this new interest and meet these demands in the coming year.
The architectural firm of Schoenhardt Architects of Simsbury designed the project and Cutter Enterprises of Tolland constructed the building. The project cost $3.4 million, including a $500,000 state library construction grant.
The library will be the subject of a Libratects session on September 5, 2002-a long way into the future, but we hope you will come to see our new building and to talk with the people who helped to make it a reality.
Adreana Scussel is on the staff of the Stafford Library.