Sherman Library
Expansion Summary
Over the course of many years, plans were developed, reviewed, shared with members of the community for feedback and taken back to the drawing board. At the end of the day – a dynamic, working solution was developed. The new library will blend with the historic setting and it will be 12,368 square feet to allow for today’s needs and tomorrow’s future growth.
The new Sherman Library will retain its charm, special ambience and historic significance as well as
•Improve areas for book collections and displays
•Enhance shelving
for multimedia collections
•Build children’s program and activity
room
•Create quiet reading and study area
•Establish a community
meeting room in Sherman
•Provide space for young adult activities
•Expand
and redesign staff areas
Progress to Date
Since the original plan was conceived, a great deal of progress has been achieved:
1. We conducted a feasibility study to determine community support and the feasibility of raising funds for the proposed expansion and as a result – have tailored the project to meet both community needs and capacity for support
2. We hired the renowned library architectural firm Tuthill and Wells which has created a design that maintains and respects the character of the Sherman Historic District, yet serves the functional needs of the library
3. We have met with all the town Review Boards, encompassed changes as necessary and finalized the design to meet the community-wide and governance needs.
4. We acquired the property adjacent to the library, which will allow us to keep the library in the center of town.
5. The Sherman Historic District Commission awarded the library project a Certificate of Appropriateness.
6. We have received private support of approximately $500,000 during the quiet phase of our capital campaign. Every member of the Board of Trustees has personally committed financial support for this project.
7. Our Town approved a $1million bond to support the Library Expansion.
8. We wrote and submitted an extensive building program to the State of Connecticut and were awarded a $1,000,000 Library Construction Grant.
9. We received a $100,000 construction grant through the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development appropriations bill. We were awarded a $10,000 Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation Grant.
10. The total cost to build the new library will be $3 million. We have $1.5 million in pledges and the Board of Trustees will raise an additional $500,000.
Why You Matter
There is a time when people can come together and make a difference for future generations. That time is now.
Nearly a century ago – the dream of a few created an opportunity for many when they envisioned a literary club that became a library. While a handful of women had the dream – it took an entire town to make it a reality.
Today, we are at a similar junction. The vision of a Board and a town saw a Library that could span the next hundred years as an important resource for future generations. The early work has been done. It now takes the help of more visionaries and believers to make it come true.
Your early support matters:
1. It provides the seed money for the first phase of this campaign.
2. It sends a strong message that we can accomplish something significant together.
3. It speaks to your personal vision of excellence for future generations. And for a vibrant library centering the town of Sherman.