By Kent Jarrell
A ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday marked the end of a long-planned renovation project at the Brainerd Memorial Library in Haddam, which will officially re-open to patrons on Monday September 13.
The Covid-19 Pandemic delayed some of the work but a new parking lot with 17 additional spaces is now finished. There is a new entry plaza and public entrance to a lower-level lobby. New rest rooms are now installed, and a new bathroom is available for children.
“I’m thrilled to have the library back open,” said Robert McGarry, First Selectman of Haddam. “I’m impressed with what was done with what the pandemic threw at you.”
State Representative Christine Palm praised the library for keeping services available during the renovation and the pandemic. “Libraries are more and more important for communities. They are a shelter in the rain.”
Haddam’s Poet Laureate, Lorraine Riess, read her poem Welcome Back, which was written to celebrate the re-opening.
The books have been waiting.
But it’s dangerous in there. Beware.
If we dare return, we take a chance
of becoming a different person
than who we were before.
We might lose ourselves between the covers
that uncover civilization itself,
the knowledge, intrigue, poetry,
the scent of it all laid bare.
Like a bakery with its racks full, a sugared perfume
encircles us with our own curiosity.
So many choices to sate our interest:
those bran muffins that are all about business,
doughnuts of tales, the rich confections of fiction.
So we narrow it down and decide:
this one for our daughter, these for breakfast,
and yielding to temptation,
pick two tarts for dessert.
And we walk out happy, in our arms
a box full of sweets and savories.
Their layered fragrance warms us
with anticipation as we head home
hungry to be lost in a delectable story.
For several months, the library building remained closed to patrons, who had to pick up materials left for them in an outside lobby by staff. Starting Monday, patrons will once again have the chance to personally pick out their reading materials and use the educational and research resources.
“We are committed to following best practices to protect our visitors and our staff, “said Tom Piezzo, Library Director. “We are requesting that everyone wear face masks that cover both the mouth and nose at all times in the library. We’ll be glad to provide visitors with masks if they need them. And we hope everyone remembers to distance themselves from others when possible and only sit in designated spaces. If conditions warrant it, we may ask groups to disperse. That said, welcome back!”
Restricted hours will continue at least through September, but the library plans to return to full pre-Covid hours in October.
The completed renovations were fully paid for by the library. A second, larger construction project is planned over the next few years that will transform and modernize the interior of the historic building. Funding will come from the Library, the Town of Haddam, and from a grant from the Connecticut State Library.
Library Hours
Monday: 12:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday: 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Tues, Thurs, & Friday: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Photos by Donna Brinkerhoff.
