Rockville Public Library Announces Fundraising Campaign For Major Expansion and Renovation Project

Rockville Public Library is mounting its first major renovation and expansion project in 45 years. Today, the Board of Trustees provided details about the plans and a $3 million fundraising campaign.

“More than 130,000 people visited our historic Library in 2010-11 and the number is growing,” explains Thomasina Clemons, President of the Rockville Public Library Board of Trustees. “This major expansion and renovation project will enable us to offer a wider range of resources to our community in so many ways.”

Today, Rockville Bank/Rockville Financial, Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer William H. W. Crawford IV; and George Sykes Memorial Fund President Chick MacMillan each presented checks for $250,000 to the Library Trustees for the Campaign. The Library was awarded a $1 million matching grant from Connecticut State Library and a $250,000 grant from the State of Connecticut for ADA accessibility modifications. In addition, the Library’s Board of Trustees has allocated $238,000 from an existing building fund toward the Campaign and $400,000 has been pledged by individuals.

“Thanks to the generosity of wonderful community supporters such as Rockville Bank Foundation and the George Sykes Memorial Fund and private donors, the Rockville Public Library has less than $500,000 left to raise,” adds Clemons. “During the spring and summer, we will be continuing our Expanding Your World capital campaign by appealing for community support through a direct mailing campaign and presentations to community groups.”

Built in 1904, Rockville Public Library’s last major construction project took place in 1967, when the Children's wing was added. The upcoming Library project will include major renovations to make the building fully accessible (ADA compliant) including an elevator to connect the three floors. It will include a new portico and entranceway, an expansion of the Young Adult Collection, and additional space for the adult collection. A conference room with up-to-date technology will provide space for new programs and community meetings. There will be new computers for Internet access in the Adult stacks and the Young Adult section, as well as technology upgrades. Locked glass cabinets will allow for preservation and public display of historical documents and artifacts. The parking lot even will be reconfigured to add 42 more spaces, including additional accessible spaces. 

Library Director Donna Enman notes that the Library will remain open to the public throughout the expansion and renovation project, which is expected to be completed by late 2013. The Children’s wing and the Reading Room will not be affected during the project. Adjacent buildings with parking will be used for programs, offices and meeting space during the construction period, and they will be accessible to the public.

Over the past year, members of the Rockville Public Library Campaign Steering Committee, co-chaired by Tom and Susan Mason and Thomasina Clemons, have engaged in personal solicitations and grant pursuit that has brought the campaign close to its goal to fund the project. The renovation and addition will lead to the implementation of many of the goals in the library’s strategic plan.

Also attending today’s check presentation at the Library was Richard J. Trachimowicz, Rockville Bank Executive Vice President and President of the Rockville Bank Foundation, and members of the Bank’s, Library’s and George Sykes Memorial Fund’s Boards.

For more information about Rockville Public Library, its renovation and expansion project and to learn how the public can make donations to help, call 860-875-5892 ext. 23. Founded and endowed by local textile manufacturer George Maxwell in 1893, Rockville Public Library is a privately owned non-profit 501(c)3 library serving the entire town of Vernon.

Rockville Bank currently is a 21½-branch community bank serving Tolland, Hartford, and New London counties in Connecticut. A New Haven County Commercial Banking Office is now open in Hamden, Conn. and later this year, the Bank will open a full-service branch in West Hartford, Conn. The Rockville Bank Foundation and Rockville Bank employees support 343 local organizations, from hands-on volunteer projects to charitable contributions. For more information about Rockville Bank’s services and products, call (860) 291-3600 or visit www.rockvillebank.com.

The George Sykes Memorial Fund was established in 1892 when Rockville mill owner George Sykes bequeathed $100,000 to fund a manual training school to teach boys the skills of the textile industry. The school was never built, but the Trustees funded the building of a comprehensive high school known as the Sykes School which closed in 1984. The Trustees of the George Sykes Memorial Fund continue to support the education of young people in Vernon.