The Time to Expand the Library is NOW

About a decade ago, a study recommended that a new library be built in Tolland, but that never happened. In the meantime our population has grown and we are running out of space! As a 30+ year Tolland resident and volunteer, I have seen how libraries have evolved. They now serve as community meeting places and public access spots for the internet and on-line databases. Community -based volunteer organizations such as Tolland Community Women, Tolland Lions, Friends of Tolland Public Library and the Tolland Public Library Foundation have contributed their time, talents and financial donations to help Tolland Library keep up with technological advances. They provided public access computers, printers, free WiFi access, databases such as Consumer Reports and Ancestry.com. They also provided both elementary and middle-school computers loaded with educational software. Friends and the Foundation also turned the back-room storage area into an attractive, functional program room, and equipped it with a state-of-the-art multimedia system for use by community groups. However, seating capacity is limited to 40 people while demand for programs often exceeds that. Mr. Steven Werbner, the Town Manager, has proposed a moderate, cost-effective solution to these problems through expansion of the library into the unused Hicks gym. In addition the proposed elevator would finally make town hall fully ADA compliant. It would also allow the library 43% more space to meet both print and technology-based literacy needs of its residents. An architect's rendering, available for viewing in the library, includes a larger program room, a separate children's program room, quiet spaces for group study and tutoring, more space for technology, a permanent used book sale area, and a space to serve as a community hub. A large part of the $2.6 million cost of the expansion could be off-set by a variety of state grants that currently are available to apply for. We have already waited a decade. Let's take this project to a referendum in November and allow the citizens of Tolland the OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE for or against improving our library.