Snow and bitter temperatures did not dampen spirits of those assembled in Hamlin, Saturday, December 14, for groundbreaking ceremonies for the new Hamlin Public Library.
Residents and library patrons gathered with library trustees, town leaders and staff, library staff and state lawmakers for the event, a portion of which was held outside so officials could break ground with “golden” shovels. The library will be constructed on land directly south of the current Hamlin Town Hall.
“This project was worth every effort and obstacle,” Library Trustees President Sue Evans said as attendees gathered for refreshments in the gymnasium of the Town Hall following the brief ceremony outside.
Evans thanked Library Director Kay Hughes-Dennett, Hamlin Supervisor Tom Breslawski and other town and state officials for their efforts in making the new library possible.
The Town of Hamlin “needs, wants and deserves the wonderful library it’s going to get,” Evans said.
Currently, the library is housed in the old Bauchs IGA plaza between a bar and a pizza parlor. The town received a $466,000 state grant in addition to $600,000 from the estate of Margaret McGrath to help cover the cost of building the new library.
State Senator Joe Robach and Assemblyman Steve Hawley both attended the groundbreaking.
Senator Robach said he was happy to work along with officials in making the new library a reality. He said the legacy of the project will be to benefit “generations of families and kids in Hamlin … to help them access information.”
Assemblyman Hawley pointed to the children in attendance. “They are the future and that’s why we are here today,” he said.
Hamlin Supervisor Tom Breslawski noted that energy and persistence can conquer all things. He quoted Benjamin Franklin who championed public libraries as places where all Americans could access knowledge and wisdom on the road to the American dream.
“Today we continue that dream,” Supervisor Breslawski said.
He noted that without the bequest from Margaret McGrath’s estate, the town would not have received the state grant and “none of this would have been possible. I look forward to the grand opening of the new Hamlin Public Library,” Bres- lawski said.
2013 was a challenging year for the library project. In February, the Hamlin Zoning Board granted a 22-ft. variance for the project. On March 4, the Planning Board tabled the library’s application citing concerns over the safety of the design of the parking lot. In May, Town Board members voted to amend a section of the town zoning law that would allow the library to be built on town land without Planning Board approval.
Sue Evans told the Suburban News that construction work will continue over the winter. Officials hope the new library will be ready for opening in mid-2014.
Photos by Kristina Gabalski
